The Wrasse Lover's Thread!

dragon99 · May 3, 2017

eatbreakfast said:
Don't do a pr of any wrasses. Females almost always transition into males even if a male is present.

Could you convince vendors of this??

I'm constantly seeing pair and trios for sales. It's maddening.

eatbreakfast · May 3, 2017

dragon99 said:
Could you convince vendors of this?? I'm constantly seeing pair and trios for sales. It's maddening.

I know. It drives me insane.

evolved · May 3, 2017

Jimmyneptune said:
I love all the flasher wrasse, had a diamond tail before, I was thinking maybe a carpenters, red tail, or a McCoskers fairy wrasse or like a blue throat .

I don't mean to be pompous here, but simply for the sake of clarity: "blue throat" recently has been used in regards to Cirrhilabrus cf. tonozukai. But also, there is the blue flasher, Paracheilinus cyaneus.

Jimmyneptune said:
I was just looking to see if any one had ideas for kind of wrasse or how many for a tank this size. I was thinking maybe 2 or 3 Paracheilinus octotaenia and a Lineatus wrasse and 2 flame wrasse. If thats too much maybe another combination.
Thanks

I would also urge you to avoid pairs or multiple specimens of the same species, especially in this size of tank. There's a section on that here, and a link to another article within it: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/all-about-reef-safe-wrasses-in-aquaria.28/

dragon99 said:
Could you convince vendors of this?? I'm constantly seeing pair and trios for sales. It's maddening.

If only it were that simple...
Bear in mind that collectors cannot simply target just males or females, and there are more females in a group than males. Therefore, it's inevitable that retailers will always end up with males and females, and likely more of the latter. But then, you must add in the complication of the average buyer only wanting to buy the "supermales". So vendors often have to "pan off" the females they have alongside the males.
I see it more as a matter of education; more people just need to learn about how buying females is not only cheaper, but then you get to watch them transition!

dragon99 · May 3, 2017

evolved said:
So vendors often have to "pan off" the females they have alongside the males.
I see it more as a matter of education; more people just need to learn about how buying females is not only cheaper, but then you get to watch them transition!

That's why it's maddening to me! I want the females!!
a) I'm cheap
b) I want to watch them transition

evolved · May 3, 2017

dragon99 said:
That's why it's maddening to me! I want the females!!
a) I'm cheap
b) I want to watch them transition

We need the latter to become the norm!
Lots of hobbyists are cheap, but most are also impatient. Which is perfectly fitting, since everything good happens quickly in this game.

Jimmyneptune · May 3, 2017

Wow.

Thanks Hunter,

I thought buying pairs was the way to go. I thought the super males were way over priced Anyway and I have gotten the most enjoyment out of the wrasse that do change from male to female. and I like a variety of species.

I read your articles and appreciate all the great info.
You have helped me a lot to direct my choices
I am going to look for females of different species, paying attention to aggression patterns you noted.

I’m truly grateful
Thanks

Carlon · May 4, 2017

I have not seen my 6 line in 3 days. How worried should I be?

eatbreakfast · May 4, 2017

Carlon said:
I have not seen my 6 line in 3 days. How worried should I be?

Or relieved.

evolved · May 4, 2017

^LOL

but ouch!

You're probably justified to be worried, but to TJ's point it might be better in the long run.

leahfiish · May 4, 2017

Carlon said:
I have not seen my 6 line in 3 days. How worried should I be?

Check around the tank and the overflow.

Carlon · May 4, 2017

my wife wanted it. So I paid 20 buck to make her happy.

Carlon · May 4, 2017

didn't see it outside the DT. Going to pick up a cleaner crew tomorrow so that will take care of the other option. And some egg crate now that I have had my first MIA event.