Different wrasses breeding together?

[Troy V]

I've had this male Flame Wrasse and female Pylei wrasse for a while. He didn't show much interest in her at first, just the very occasional display of his glory. However recently, within the last few months I've noticed him becoming more protective of her while constantly trying to court her. In the last couple of weeks there seems to be a noticeable change in her belly. Which is becoming more and more enlarged. At first I though she was just fat, but now I am thinking it could be something a little more amazing.


Has anyone else had experience with this? Does it look like she is carrying eggs?

Thank you,

 

[Oscaror]

I don't think wrasses lay eggs, they're open water spawners, like they shoot eggs into the water and the male fertilizes them, maybe a wrasse expert like @evolved can help me out here?

 

[Shep]

Tagging along, very cool

 

[Oscaror]

Wasses are such beautiful fish
When I'm upgrading I'm gonna fill my tank with them, right now I just have a pesky six line.

 

[eatbreakfast]

The pylei is no longer a female, but rather a male. What you are witnessing is a dominance display. The flame wrasse is the dominant male and is showing the pylei "who is the boss" in the tank.

Cirrhilabrus are broadcast spawners where he eggs are laid and fertilized in the water column.

 

[Troy V]

Thank you for your replies

The pylei is no longer a female, but rather a male. What you are witnessing is a dominance display. The flame wrasse is the dominant male and is showing the pylei "who is the boss" in the tank.

Cirrhilabrus are broadcast spawners where he eggs are laid and fertilized in the water column.

Interesting. Why is his/her belly so distended when no other fish in the tank has this same issue? When the female has eggs do there bellies look distended? Will I start to see a male color pattern appear?

Thank you

 

[Troy V]

Thank you for your replies

The pylei is no longer a female, but rather a male. What you are witnessing is a dominance display. The flame wrasse is the dominant male and is showing the pylei "who is the boss" in the tank.

Cirrhilabrus are broadcast spawners where he eggs are laid and fertilized in the water column.

Interesting. Why is his/her belly so distended when no other fish in the tank has this same issue? When the female has eggs do there bellies look distended? Will I start to see a male color pattern appear?

Thank you

 

[eatbreakfast]

The distended belly may be a blockage in the digestive tract.

It is already beginning to show male coloring and they will develop mor and more. The long ventral fins are a telltale sign.

 

[Troy V]

Thank you! I can't wait to see his new coloration.