Melanurus Wrasse

[paradizecityz]

I've had a melanurus wrasse like 6 years ago and really like the fish so I went out to get one for my tank. I'm use to the below look:

But my LFS had one that they labeled as Melanurus but it was white. I thought maybe there's new species of them or something and didn't think otherwise so I got him. After couple days, I started looking more and found pics of Adorned wrasse that looks very much like the one I got so I just thought lfs mislabeled but I like the fish so no big deal.

Fast forward a few weeks later, I was looking at him today and seeing more colors come out and it's starting to look more and more like the normal melanurus. Do they change color as the get older???

 

[i cant think]

I've had a melanurus wrasse like 6 years ago and really like the fish so I went out to get one for my tank. I'm use to the below look:

But my LFS had one that they labeled as Melanurus but it was white. I thought maybe there's new species of them or something and didn't think otherwise so I got him. After couple days, I started looking more and found pics of Adorned wrasse that looks very much like the one I got so I just thought lfs mislabeled but I like the fish so no big deal.

Fast forward a few weeks later, I was looking at him today and seeing more colors come out and it's starting to look more and more like the normal melanurus. Do they change color as the get older???

You could have gotten hold of a female/juvenile melanurus, all of the large common wrasses you often see (Pink streaks, possums and lined wrasses do not do this) will change from males to females, the male and female Melanurus are pictured below. With age the wrasse will become a male (All of the commonly seen wrasse except the Anampses and Macropharyngodon are known to do this)

 

[Gtinnel]

will change from males to females

I believe you said that part backwards

 

[i cant think]

I believe you said that part backwards

Yes I did, Thankyou for seeing it and correcting it!!

 

[paradizecityz]

You could have gotten hold of a female/juvenile melanurus, all of the large common wrasses you often see (Pink streaks, possums and lined wrasses do not do this) will change from males to females, the male and female Melanurus are pictured below. With age the wrasse will become a male (All of the commonly seen wrasse except the Anampses and Macropharyngodon are known to do this)

Thank you. At first, I thought the same thing but it didn’t look like the female picture so that’s why I thought adorned. But good info to know! Thank you

 

[vetteguy53081]

While this is a juvenile, as long as one is a male, all will go smoothly. Two female with this genus is generally a war

 

[i cant think]

Thank you. At first, I thought the same thing but it didn’t look like the female picture so that’s why I thought adorned. But good info to know! Thank you

I’d love to see a photo of your Mel!! I don’t have one but have been looking at wrasses of close looks to them (Red lined specifically).

 

[paradizecityz]

I’d love to see a photo of your Mel!! I don’t have one but have been looking at wrasses of close looks to them (Red lined specifically).

I can get a pic later today when the lights are on

 

[i cant think]

While this is a juvenile, as long as one is a male, all will go smoothly. Two female with this genus is generally a war

I find this to be accurate (actually, I find this to be accurate with Any wrasse). Usually two males will fight to the death unless given enough room to escape - This is how I have the wrasses I have today. I have seen harems of 2 females to one male work out (Starting with 3 females) but in many cases, it will become all males. Again, the exception to this that I know of are Anampses and Macropharyngodon, I’m unsure about Possums and Pink streaks (In the future I’d love a group of about 5 of one of these two species).

 

[nereefpat]

I can get a pic later today when the lights are on

I bet someone can ID it for you

 

[RedReefer]

Looks like a female. I have a 3 year old male and he's probably my favorite and most active fish in my tank. Nice fish!

 

[LeeLoo Lola]

Just picked one up at my LFS yesterday and am loving it already. It is my only fish so far to actually swim around the aquascape as I had hoped for. (Still a semi new tank). I’m very interested to see a picture of what you got.

 

[paradizecityz]

I’d love to see a photo of your Mel!! I don’t have one but have been looking at wrasses of close looks to them (Red lined specifically).

a couple quick pics

 

[RedReefer]

My male. While lights come on later and I’ll get another pic.

 

[nereefpat]

a couple quick pics

Most likely H. melanurus. See the tail spot

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Enjoy mine.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

 

[i cant think]

a couple quick pics

Definitely H. Melanurus (Melanurus wrasse).