Hermaphroditism help

[Mariette]

I can’t be the only one fascinated by hermaphroditism. Questions:

1 - can males be dominated into females? Let’s say I’ve got a male and 2 females living happily. Along comes new large bossy female. Can new bossy female turn old boss male into female and take over male role?

2 - does someone always turn into a male? let’s say there are 2 females. Same size. Introduced to tank together. Will 1 always turn into a male?

3 - does a female stay a female if kept alone?

4 - does a male stay a male if kept alone?

5 - can sex be determined by different species if the fish in question is the only one of its species in the tank?

I’m starting to think I’ve hot too much time on my hands...

 

[Jesterrace]

On any other forum the topic alone might spawn giggles and juvenile comments (especially after reading your opening statement) but as this a fish forum it fits.

On to fish.

1) The short answer is no, although clownfish are known to switch back and forth throughout the course of their lives to fit the situation. Definitely not a bullied into being a female though.

2. Yes, eventually one or both will depending on the species.

3) With Clowns they generally go female if they are by themselves. With Wrasses it's the opposite. A Wrasse could possibly stay female, although it is less likely.

4. Once again Clownfish no, Wrasses once they are male stay male.

5. No. They follow the aforementioned regardless

 

[pcon]

Species, Genus, Family? Totally varies. Chaetodontidae, Pomacanthidae, Labridae, Pomacentridae, demonstrate a variety of classic reproductive strategies. Chaetodontidae, the butterflyfishes, are gonochorous, beginning and ending life male or female. Butterflyfish exhibit the whole gambit of social behaviors, lifetime monogamy, harems, large shoals. Likewise the damselfish, Pomacentridae, exhibit all sorts of social behaviors, from monogamous Maroon clowns to the huge congregations of other reef damsels. The anemone fish, Labridae, and damsels exhibit protandry, male to female sex change. The Angelfish, Pomacanthidae, are generally regarded as protogynous, or male to female sequential hermaphrodites. That being said, it is confirmed they are capable of Male to Female sex change. This being frequently observed in aquaria with Genicanthus, and scientifically in Centropyge. Then throw in the many gobies, and Fire Shrimp, which are simultaneous hermaphrodites capable of bidirectional sex change.

Sexual dimorphism describes the differences between fish of different sexes, it varies from species to species from drastic color, shape, and size differences, to no distinction at all.

All of your questions can vary down to the species and genus level, it is best to research each particular species. Piscine hermaphroditism could/may be the title of a text book, a thick one.

 

[Mariette]

On any other forum the topic alone might spawn giggles and juvenile comments (especially after reading your opening statement) but as this a fish forum it fits.

On to fish.

1) The short answer is no, although clownfish are known to switch back and forth throughout the course of their lives to fit the situation. Definitely not a bullied into being a female though.

2. Yes, eventually one or both will depending on the species.

3) With Clowns they generally go female if they are by themselves. With Wrasses it's the opposite. A Wrasse could possibly stay female, although it is less likely.

4. Once again Clownfish no, Wrasses once they are male stay male.

5. No. They follow the aforementioned regardless

Wow. Nature is all kinds of awesome

 

[Mariette]

Species, Genus, Family? Totally varies. Chaetodontidae, Pomacanthidae, Labridae, Pomacentridae, demonstrate a variety of classic reproductive strategies. Chaetodontidae, the butterflyfishes, are gonochorous, beginning and ending life male or female. Butterflyfish exhibit the whole gambit of social behaviors, lifetime monogamy, harems, large shoals. Likewise the damselfish, Pomacentridae, exhibit all sorts of social behaviors, from monogamous Maroon clowns to the huge congregations of other reef damsels. The anemone fish, Labridae, and damsels exhibit protandry, male to female sex change. The Angelfish, Pomacanthidae, are generally regarded as protogynous, or male to female sequential hermaphrodites. That being said, it is confirmed they are capable of Male to Female sex change. This being frequently observed in aquaria with Genicanthus, and scientifically in Centropyge. Then throw in the many gobies, and Fire Shrimp, which are simultaneous hermaphrodites capable of bidirectional sex change.

Sexual dimorphism describes the differences between fish of different sexes, it varies from species to species from drastic color, shape, and size differences, to no distinction at all.

All of your questions can vary down to the species and genus level, it is best to research each particular species. Piscine hermaphroditism could/may be the title of a text book, a thick one.

Wow. I’m in awe at the whole concept of it, let alone the details and the species specific intricacies. Perhaps you should write this book. You seem very knowledgeable

On a personal note, sure wish ppl could perform this feat. There’s been a few times (camping) that the prospect of sprouting a certain temporary male organ has had an allure hahaha