Mystery wrasse pairing????

[Saltgator]

I know this is a long shot, but does anyone know what would be the process of pairing up mystery wrasses? I have seen them offered as pairs, but only for limited times. I love the look of a mystery wrasse and need a wrasse that will dent the pod population(six lines are not my style). I had a yellow coris, but he decided to carpet surf while cover was off. My pods aren't getting enough leftovers and took out a maxima that I moved from the sand to the rocks (maxima might have been bad already). Thanks

 

[Reef UP]

Interested as well!

 

[el richie]

try leopard wrasses, i love mystery wrasses but they can be butt heads when adding new fish to the mix since they are very teritorial. ive seen some guys that do whole sale runs up to los angeles have success pairing them up by putting them in the tank at the same time but it also could lead to a big headache

 

[clowns101]

Best bet IMHO is to get 2 smaller ones.

 

[Saltgator]

I'll look into ones around 1 inch. These are my last fish. I wanted a leopard wrasse pair, but mystery wrasses are still nice imo. Are mystery wrasses like clowns, I mean able to change or decide there male or female status?

 

[clowns101]

No, I do not belive that they are able to change their sex. Im not 100% sure though.

 

[evolved]

They're all intrinsically female, but will transition to male.

Wrasses are not like clowns however when they pair; it's not a bonded relationship. Think in terms of anthias when it comes to wrasse pairings; it's all about dominance and submission.

Getting two small juveniles would in fact be your best bet, but there are no guarantees. However, even if you bought a M/F pair, there's likewise no guarantee the female would stay female.

 

[secretreefer]

i've had 2 together before in my 180g tho. never fought but never paired up.

 

[Saltgator]

Well if buying 2 isn't the smartest idea (as in they may try to dominate to death), what is an alterative wrasse that could go in at the same time as the mystery?

 

[Saltgator]

I'm probably going Saturday and get 1 or2 mysterys. One of the stores I'll be at has them for $68 each so 2 might come home unless I can find leopards.

 

[evolved]

Well if buying 2 isn't the smartest idea (as in they may try to dominate to death), what is an alterative wrasse that could go in at the same time as the mystery?

Honestly, none. Long term, the entire Pseudocheilinus genus does not play well with other wrasses. Some make it work for a while, but it almost always turns into the Pseudocheilinus being an aggressor.

 

[Saltgator]

Honestly, none. Long term, the entire Pseudocheilinus genus does not play well with other wrasses. Some make it work for a while, but it almost always turns into the Pseudocheilinus being an aggressor.

Well maybe one will do. I'm gonna try for a leopard first, but probaly end up with a mystery.:squigglemouth:

 

[Saltgator]

Update: I decided not to go with mysterys (atleast not at the moment). I ended up getting a flame wrasse female and a divided leopard. The flame couldn't be happier, eating very strong and taking food from the tangs. Not sure, but I think it could be a male. Not sure if anyone knows, but what are the differences? I'll try pics if needed. She or possibly he is orange that fades to reddish with broad orange lines thru the head area.
The divided leopard was in the lfs for 3 weeks eating live brine and hunting activly thru the coral. I couldn't pass her up after watching her eat. She has already adjusted to my light schedule and hunts very good. No interest in what the rest are eating, but I am hoping this will change. I'm watching her health and will throw more enriched brine her way, but she seems to be still good with the pods that have exploded in the tank. I tried cycopleze tonight mixed with my rogers reef, omega flakes, spectrum pellets, and extreme garlic. So much action at feeding between the flame stealing tangs food I couldn't try to see if the leopard even captured any. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.

 

[evolved]

It's pretty easy to tell a male v. a female, but it's based on coloration, not pattern. The males are red/orange/yellow, with a brightly colored red dorsal fin and a yellow anal fin. The females tend to be more pink than red, and have translucent fins. You can browse through photos via google to see the difference. Subtle, but clear.

As for the leopard, most keepers report they will eventually learn to take to prepared foods especially when all the other fish do such. Monkey see, monkey do, if you will. Just give it some time. If it's health is good now and finding food on it's own, those are all good signs.