Kuiters leopard transitioning question

[4FordFamily]

Ok so some of you know I have a transitioning male kuiters leopard. I am concerned that in the presence of a male leopard wrasse that he will get stuck or very slowly transition male.

Enter my ornate leopard wrasse. I've had him for four months and have not seen his transition complete or make any serious progress. He arrived transitioning. He is with a dominant male Bipartus leopard, a male Choati leopard, and 5 girls (two melagris, a negronesis, a geofrey, and another Bipartus). I'm assuming this is why the transition is taking awhile.

A friend of mine had his Bipartus transition from full female to male in 2-3 weeks recently.

This kuiters will be going in to a 180 with a dominant male Bipartus also. No other wrasses are in this tank with the exception of a cleaner.

1) What are the odds he will get "stuck" at this transition?

2) How long does it generally take to transition?

3) Could the presence of another male slow transition?

4) What is the most likely scenario?

Thanks guys.

Here are photos of the kuiters and also the ornate I mentioned

 

[buzzword]

There are a lot of factors in play for this fish. Firstly the presence of the male Bipartus and his reaction, possible aggression, tolerance to the new transitioning male will be the dominant effect on the Kutieri in my opinion. With no other wrasses in this tank he will garner the attention of the Bipartus. Whether that attention is aggressive, tolerant or disinterested will be the deciding factor on the potential transition and or speed of the transition of the wrasse. I am no expert i.e. (Evolved) but based on past experience this is my opinion.
Now with that being said Kutieri wrasses have been known to be on the aggressive/dominant side for leopard wrasses. So he may hold his own if there is aggression. You are putting a young buck into the studs territory. But lets not get all doom and gloom, your bipartus may just ignore him. I would not expect a 3 week change anyway, he needs to settle in and find his place first.
Good luck. Keeping a eye out for your progress posts.

 

[4FordFamily]

Thanks. He will spend at least 3 weeks in qt.

 

[evolved]

The answers to all of your questions requires a crystal ball.

There are no knowns here, but your concerns are valid/possible. It may end up paused at this state forever, or it might fully transition in a week. There's no way to know without trying.

 

[4FordFamily]

The answers to all of your question require a crystal ball.

There is no knowns here, but your concerns are valid/possible. It may end up paused at this state forever, or it might fully transition in a week. There's no way to know without trying.

Well that sucks. What would you say is a more likely scenario? Completing transition or halting?

 

[evolved]

Do you have a coin? I'll call tails!

Seriously, that's the extent of my thoughts.

 

[4FordFamily]

Do you have a coin? I'll call tails!

Seriously, that's the extent of my thoughts.

You suck! .

 

[4FordFamily]

So next question, how can you definitively tell this is a transitioning male?

Looking close at females on google images has me less convinced although I do see some color that is more sporadic on the face but very minimal

 

[evolved]

how can you definitively tell this is a transitioning male?

The condition of the ear-spot, the lateral demarcation line forming below the eye, and the blue coming in on the caudal.

 

[4FordFamily]

Well dang it if I had patience, I wouldn't buy male wrasse!

 

[jlanger]

Regardless of completing the transition or halting, that is a beautiful fish!
I have a transitioning M. bipartitus and I actually like this coloration better than the female or full male phases.

BTW, I am envious of your leopard wrasse collection!

 

[4FordFamily]

Regardless of completing the transition or halting, that is a beautiful fish!
I have a transitioning M. bipartitus and I actually like this coloration better than the female or full male phases.

BTW, I am envious of your leopard wrasse collection!

That sounds pretty! Pic?

And thanks, I do love my wrasses!

 

[megisawesome06]

Following. Dumb noob question, but how do you know it's transitioning? And is it always female to male? If I only have one, would it transition on it's own?

 

[4FordFamily]

Following. Dumb noob question, but how do you know it's transitioning? And is it always female to male? If I only have one, would it transition on it's own?

It's very tough to tell, but the blue on the tail, shape of the ear spot, and line and changes on head, even pink spots forming indicate this one is changing. It's different for most species. My ornate leopard has less broken lines and blotches, indicating more of a male. It retains the primary coloration of a female largely, which is indicative of it being stuck in transition.

Many female leopards have small broken lines or blotches on the face and head and males are more connected and less unorganized (more connected). Not always the case and not for every species however.

Yes, males cannot revert to females.

And yes in time, (2 weeks to 5 years too many factors to know for sure) a lone female will generally turn male, for most species. With most species, a female will turn male often even in the presence of other males of the same species. Leopard wrasses when mixed, generally only have one dominant female that turns male. The other females of other leopard species tend to stay female, even though they're different species.

 

[megisawesome06]

Cool! I'm learning so much! I aspire to have a Wrasse tank one day and I have you to thank/blame. [emoji38]

 

[4FordFamily]

Cool! I'm learning so much! I aspire to have a Wrasse tank one day and I have you to thank/blame. [emoji38]

Haha it's a disease. Mine began 12 years ago!

 

[jlanger]

That sounds pretty! Pic?

And thanks, I do love my wrasses!

Here's my transitioning M. bipartitus from back in January.
The overall body color has darkened a bit, but still enough of the orange coloration that I like.

 

[4FordFamily]

That's very cool. I wonder if my female Bipartus is in a similar boat as she is dark for a "female". That would make that clan a real sausage fest though!

 

[4FordFamily]

100% confirmed my "female" Bipartus is actually a transitioning male also. Stuck in that stage for 6 months with the other males present also.


Wellllll crap!

So now I have a male Bipartus, transitioning male Bipartus, transitioning male Ornatus, male Choati, female potters, black, and two melagris in that tank...

1/2 ratio isn't ideal at all but it appears to work, strangely... No aggression issues whatsoever amongst males. The largest male Bipartus is GORGEOUS and is definitely boss but all he expects is first dibs on food right in front of his face and don't make him run in to you. Laid back otherwise.

Meanwhile my two male Bipartus in another 180 are NOT getting along as they did in QT. I'll have to remove the smaller one and sell or place in another of my tanks. No big deal just a contrast.

 

[buzzword]

Meanwhile my two male Bipartus in another 180 are NOT getting along as they did in QT. I'll have to remove the smaller one and sell or place in another of my tanks. No big deal just a contrast.

You can always send him here, he's more than welcome.