Male Blue Star Leopard Wrasse

[67chevellemalibu2]

Interested in getting one. Any one have experience with this beautiful fish?
I have a 6ft 125 gal.
Current inhabitants:
Melanarus
Christmas
Copperband Butterfly
Pearlscale Butterfly
Four Ocellaris Clowns
One Spot Foxface
Diamond Goby
Two Fire Shrimps
Coral Banded Shrimp
Blue Legged Hermit Crab
No issues with current inhabitants. All peaceful.

Potentially a Longnose Hawkish

 

[tdileo]

This was the fish that got me into saltwater. I didn’t get until after about a year and a half of being into reefing. Got a nice specimen I watched at the LFS for about 2 weeks, it was eating, all the good stuff. Got it home, acclimated, dropped it in. He was eating flakes by the end of the day and I couldn’t be happier. It did great for about 2 weeks and would go in the sand the same time every day. One day it didn’t come up. This went on for another 2 weeks, and one day I noticed a small skeleton about the size the leopard was. I’m not sure what went wrong but it seemed so perfect to start and I haven’t attempted another one since then.

 

[Maritimer]

My understanding is that males don't always ship as well as females, but that females can transition to male in the aquarium.

Blue stars are a fish I want in my own tank, and my plan is to purchase a trio of females / juveniles, and hope that one transitions in my tank.

~Bruce

 

[ca1ore]

I’ve had a few over the years. The males just don’t seem to do well; often losing weight and eventually dying. I would go with a trio of females and let them decide.

 

[67chevellemalibu2]

Three of them? There not cheap. I think I will go with a different wrasse.
I like the Adorned, Male Vrolik’s or Male Leopard Wrasse. I like the males colors better.

 

[ice fish]

I got the female blue star and over a year it turned male. It is one of my favorite fish in my tank. The female shipped super hardy but i have heard horror stories of them doing poorly with shipping. I would say get a female and watch it change. More fun to watch and also cheaper on the wallet.

 

[ca1ore]

Kept singly, there’s is no guarantee it will change. My blue star has been female since I got it 5 years ago. The meleagris male is much more attractive than the blue star male, and a trio of females much less expensive, still tough to acclimate though.

 

[67chevellemalibu2]

Kept singly, there’s is no guarantee it will change. My blue star has been female since I got it 5 years ago. The meleagris male is much more attractive than the blue star male, and a trio of females much less expensive, still tough to acclimate though.

It’s hard to find a male leopard wrasse. Liveaquaria doesn’t have any of the male wrasses I am interested in.

 

[Tamberav]

They have a male listed, I hear they ship poorly though.

https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/304/blue-star-leopard-wrasse?pcatid=304&c=15+1378+304

 

[67chevellemalibu2]

I was talking about a regular male wrasse. Yes, they have a male blue star leopard wrasse for $80. That’s too much of a gamble for me for a poor shipper.