The Wrasse Lover's Thread!

[evolved]

Hi guys is it normal for my female dusky wrasse to be chasing her reflection for long periods of time

Certainly not unheard of, but this also means your "female" is at least a transitional male. If it only occurs in one spot, you could put some white paper on the outside of the tank to kill the reflection for a bit.

 

[flamez]

Certainly not unheard of, but this also means your "female" is at least a transitional male. If it only occurs in one spot, you could put some white paper on the outside of the tank to kill the reflection for a bit.

OK thanks could you tell if it is a transitional male from a picture

 

[evolved]

OK thanks could you tell if it is a transitional male from a picture

Of course.

 

[flamez]

Of course.

 

[evolved]

Well, perhaps I should be more specific; yes - with a photo in focus under white-ish lighting.

 

[flamez]

Well, perhaps I should be more specific; yes - with a photo in focus under white-ish lighting.

OK this is the best picture I can get

 

[evolved]

OK this is the best picture I can get

The biggest tell-tale I'd look for is the false eye at the leading edge of the dorsal fin - neither of which I can clearly see in either photo. It's clear that the fish is exiting the juvi phase (color appearing in the caudal) at least. If the false eye at the front of the dorsal is also fading away, then transitional male it certainly is. But regardless, it is just a matter of time with the behavior you're observing - a female wouldn't fight a "rival" conspecific.

 

[flamez]

The biggest tell-tale I'd look for is the false eye at the leading edge of the dorsal fin - neither of which I can clearly see in either photo. It's clear that the fish is exiting the juvi phase (color appearing in the caudal) at least. If the false eye at the front of the dorsal is also fading away, then transitional male it certainly is. But regardless, it is just a matter of time with the behavior you're observing - a female wouldn't fight a "rival" conspecific.

OK thanks the false eye is very small on the dorsal fin

 

[flamez]

one more thing can a blue star leopard wrasse be kept with a dusky wrasse

 

[evolved]

one more thing can a blue star leopard wrasse be kept with a dusky wrasse

Sometimes. How large is the tank?

 

[flamez]

Sometimes. How large is the tank?

90 gallons

 

[evolved]

90 gallons

Then the odds are not necessarily in your favor. I probably wouldn't attempt it.

 

[flamez]

Then the odds are not necessarily in your favor. I probably wouldn't attempt it.

OK thanks

 

[mattzang]

are duskys mean? saw one in a video recently and holy moly it was HUGE

 

[evolved]

are duskys mean? saw one in a video recently and holy moly it was HUGE

Not like H. hortulanus, but more aggressive than H. melanurus. And yes, their size is somewhere between the two species as well. Definitely a good sized fish (eventually) for a 90g.

 

[flamez]

Not like H. hortulanus, but more aggressive than H. melanurus. And yes, their size is somewhere between the two species as well. Definitely a good sized fish (eventually) for a 90g.

Yh is there any other wrasse I could put in with a dusky or no

 

[evolved]

Yh is there any other wrasse I could put in with a dusky or no

Cirrhilabrus or Paracheilinus should be okay. The very aggressive Cirrhilabrus species should be avoided though.

 

[flamez]

Cirrhilabrus or Paracheilinus should be okay. The very aggressive Cirrhilabrus species should be avoided though.

should I also avoid any more halichoeres wrasse aswell

 

[evolved]

should I also avoid any more halichoeres wrasse aswell

The safest play would be to avoid them, yes. The risk with them is a little higher than the risk with a Macropharyngodon.

 

[mattzang]

Cirrhilabrus or Paracheilinus should be okay. The very aggressive Cirrhilabrus species should be avoided though.

the aggressive cirrhilabrus would bully the dusky? or try to and it'd go poorly?