PLEASE HELP!!! ASAP!!! Terminal or Female HFW?

[JOEfromHAWAII]

I just puchased what looked like a large female hawaiian flame wrasse. but after adding it to my tank i thought twice whether its a terminal male or close to that stage. After adding it my Male HFW has been chasing "shim" around and nipping at "shim". He started to flash the first time but now only chases and nips. Can you please shoot me your input soon so I can pull "shim" out asap. Mahaloz Joe

 

[jedidad]

Looks like a make to me

 

[skinz78]

Agreed looks like a male.

 

[evolved]

It's a borderline sub-male. It's possible they might work it out, but seeing how it appears he's already had his fins nipped, that's doubtful.

In the future, always use an acclimation box when adding new wrasses. It'll save you from having this issue beyond your control!

 

[bucksfan1976]

Agreeded male.

 

[extremecoral]

It's a sub male.

 

[Aloha Corals]

That is a full grown female. What your seeing is more than likely dominance being established. As long as your male is dominate enough the female will submit and remain a female. If not, they could fight to the death for the alpha male position. Though it has been noted, i have no personal experience... Males are said to be able to turn back into female.

Here is a great article on Flame Wrasse Aquarium Fish: Spawning Cirrhilabrus jordani ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Aloha
Kevin

 

[JOEfromHAWAII]

i really appreciate all your help...i didn't want to take a chance, so she got pulled and sold. I am now in the market for a much smaller female. hope that works out

 

[Marshall O]

I believe female Flames hardly ever stay females in our aquariums, even in the presence of a terminal male. Even then, sometimes it works out, sometimes not. But just want you to be aware of this!

 

[cultivatedcoral]

I had 5 females and one turned male. About a year or so later 3 more turned male and ganged up on one of the males and killed him. Strange with so many turning male.

 

[JOEfromHAWAII]

UPDATE -

So i picked up a much smaller female yesterday and my male does not seem interested in her at all...no flashing or anything. Now i am frustrated lol...i'm really avoiding add more females. Is it to early to tell if he will show interest? is she still to small/young for him to start flashing? well, looks like another bust at getting my male to flash...lol but i'll keep my fingers crossed

 

[IAMC]

Following for more updates...

 

[Marshall O]

Do you have any other male Fairy or Flasher wrasses in the tank? This will result in the flashing you are looking for, without the troubles of trying to get two Flames to pair up, just to have another female turn male on you. Also, how are your lights setup? I notice the most flashing starting just before the daylights turn off, and then throughout the entire hour where just the actinics are on.

 

[evolved]

Do you have any other male Fairy or Flasher wrasses in the tank? This will result in the flashing you are looking for, without the troubles of trying to get two Flames to pair up, just to have another female turn male on you. Also, how are your lights setup? I notice the most flashing starting just before the daylights turn off, and then throughout the entire hour where just the actinics are on.

+1 to everything here.

 

[JOEfromHAWAII]

Do you have any other male Fairy or Flasher wrasses in the tank? This will result in the flashing you are looking for, without the troubles of trying to get two Flames to pair up, just to have another female turn male on you. Also, how are your lights setup? I notice the most flashing starting just before the daylights turn off, and then throughout the entire hour where just the actinics are on.

thank you marshall...no other flasher/fairy wrasse in the tank...only yellow coris and leopard wrasse along with the female wrasse. I am currently in the search for a Male Vanuatu Exquisite wrasse. My light cycle starts off with moons on my orphek for 2 hours then reefbrite actinics for 1 then orphek whites for 6 then reefbrite actinic for 1 then orphek moons for 2 then off.

 

[Marshall O]

thank you marshall...no other flasher/fairy wrasse in the tank...only yellow coris and leopard wrasse along with the female wrasse. I am currently in the search for a Male Vanuatu Exquisite wrasse. My light cycle starts off with moons on my orphek for 2 hours then reefbrite actinics for 1 then orphek whites for 6 then reefbrite actinic for 1 then orphek moons for 2 then off.

Ok, well the Exquisite should be a fine addition then. Keep your eyes on Divers Den as they have been getting some in recently (although I can't remember if they were from Vanuatu or not; I know one was Maldivian). You may know this, but Exquisite males are known to lose their color if not kept with a female. Your light cycle sounds just fine, so nothing wrong there.

And you may already have one and plan to use it, but make to use an acclimation box for the new wrasse for 2-3 days, or until your Flame does not show any signs of aggressive behavior. I have one of these:Social Acclimation Box However there are other options out there as well.