Let Me ID Your Wrasse!

Overboard · Jun 13, 2018

Just picked up this Exquisite Fairy Wrasse. I liked the coloration on this one, but it is also obviously stressed. I assume it is an Indian Ocean variant, but is it Africa, Maldives, western Indian Ocean, other?

Thanks for the insight!

Mark

OrionN · Jun 13, 2018

That is a nice one Mark

Overboard · Jun 13, 2018

OrionN said:
That is a nice one Mark

Thanks!! Once he gets settled, I am looking forward to seeing his coloration when he displays.

eatbreakfast · Jun 14, 2018

Overboard said:
Just picked up this Exquisite Fairy Wrasse. I liked the coloration on this one, but it is also obviously stressed. I assume it is an Indian Ocean variant, but is it Africa, Maldives, western Indian Ocean, other?

Thanks for the insight!

Mark

African

Overboard · Jun 14, 2018

eatbreakfast said:
African

Thanks! I have read the article on the Exquisite complex, but could you please explain the coloration distinction between the African and West IO variants? Seems like Maldives have a little less red.

I appreciate the education!
Mark

Captain Quint · Jun 14, 2018

Had one of these for a couple of years in a 150g FOWLR. I knew what it was/is.

But wow, the name. haha

eatbreakfast · Jun 14, 2018

Overboard said:
Thanks! I have read the article on the Exquisite complex, but could you please explain the coloration distinction between the African and West IO variants? Seems like Maldives have a little less red.

I appreciate the education!
Mark

The amount of red in the face, the dorsal color and patterning, and where the median stripe breaks.

Overboard · Jun 14, 2018

Thanks!

OrionN · Jun 21, 2018

Quick question. Please confirm ID of these two sub 1.5 inch wrasse. I ID them as H. biocellatus and H. melanurus. It is hard to tell some of the juvenile from each other for me. I don’t want any surprise after I get them into my 320 DT. Really hard to get them out. Sorry for the color. They were up early

eatbreakfast · Jun 21, 2018

OrionN said:
Quick question. Please confirm ID of these two sub 1.5 inch wrasse. I ID them as H. biocellatus and H. melanurus. It is hard to tell some of the juvenile from each other for me. I don’t want any surprise after I get them into my 320 DT. Really hard to get them out. Sorry for the color. They were up early

1st pic is H. biocellatus.

2nd pic is most likely H. melanurus, but could be H. chrysotaenia, leucurus, or kallochroma

OrionN · Jun 21, 2018

Thanks. Would a better picture help?

OrionN · Jun 22, 2018

eatbreakfast said:
1st pic is H. biocellatus.

2nd pic is most likely H. melanurus, but could be H. chrysotaenia, leucurus, or kallochroma

@evolved
Are juveniles of these species looks the same, therefore I cannot know for sure until she start to develop a little more or should I try harder to positively ID her?
Are there any significant behavior differences between adult fishes above? Should I add her to the tank anyway because all of these species should be reef-safe in a 320 gal? TIA. I always appreciated your advice. Both of you really help me a lot in selecting and keeping wrasses for my tank.

eatbreakfast · Jun 22, 2018

OrionN said:
@evolved
Are juveniles of these species looks the same, therefore I cannot know for sure until she start to develop a little more or should I try harder to positively ID her?
Are there any significant behavior differences between adult fishes above? Should I add her to the tank anyway because all of these species should be reef-safe in a 320 gal? TIA. I always appreciated your advice. Both of you really help me a lot in selecting and keeping wrasses for my tank.

I started to reply a couple of days ago and got interrupted and forgot to get back, sorry about that.

In the more recent pic I am leaning toward H. leucurus because of the amount of orange in the anal fin. But that is by no means a positive id.

You could add it. Melanurus is the most aggressive species of the possible species, but they usually aren't too bad, especially in a big tank.