Life expectancy of terminal phase wrasses

[fab]

What remaing life expectancy should we expect for wrasses in various phases of transition from female to terminal male?

They become expensive acquisitions so are they nearer end of life than their females companions of the same age?

 

[Triggreef]

There are many factors, including what species in particular your talking about. I would use size comparison to guesstimate age rather than just the fact of whether or not they have turned male.

Some turn male sooner than others and some just never do. Depends who they are hanging out with. I got a very small female leopard wrasse that is still female, and a large female aquired several months later turned male a few months after.

 

[fab]

I guess what I am really trying to find out is whether the fish that go through a gender transformation have a shorter or a longer overall longevity. And is a fish that is transitioning or has transitioned is an older fish to begin with.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Transitioning is based on social dynamics rather than age. In most cases though, an older fish will have an advantage and be more likely to transition.

The younger, more immature fish will likely have 'more life to left to live' than a terminal male, but there are other factors, such as being lower on the social totem pole, aggression from other fish, not getting as much food. Whereas terminal phase males have strssors, such as defending it's place in the hierarchy and asserting it's dominance.

In some cases females and initial phase males, will continue to transition but not make it all the way to terminal phase in captivity, but that is dependent on social factors, such as if there is another dominant, closely related wrasse.

Paying for a terminal male takes out the waiting and the guesswork. Just beware that many vendors will list a male for sale and say it is terminal phase, but it is just male and not terminal phase male.

 

[saltyhog]

Yep, I find that "terminal phase" is a very subjective term with vendors. With some it just means it's a male! .

I have a "terminal phase" pink margin fairy that I"ve had 3 years. He doesn't look any different than when I bought him, is 5 1/2" long and the boss off the tank. He's not showing any sign of slowing down yet.