Will "time out" fix my Melanurus wrasse?

[Poriferabob]

I've had my female Melanurus in my 180 mixed for a few months. I also ordered a male from LiveAquaria about a month ago. When I got it, it does appear to be in the process of changing into a male but at the early stages. This last weekend, I finished my quarantine of the male and tried to introduce it to the 180. As I feared, I don't think the change is far enough and the established female started the bully game. I was able to spit the two up and currently have the female in a critter cage in the 180. They can still see each other and act a little angry.
What are the chances that by keeping them separated but together they will work out their differences?

 

[nereefpat]

I would guess it's pretty unlikely that two melanurus wrasses will coexist. They will eventually both be males that won't tolerate each other.

Any pics? Perhaps your female is already transitioning.

 

[Poriferabob]

Hey nereefpat, thanks for the reply. I attached to best photo I could capture. Even in the cage she is FAST. I was always under the impression that if there was an existing male the female would not transition. Is that incorrect?

 

[evolved]

I've had my female Melanurus in my 180 mixed for a few months. I also ordered a male from LiveAquaria about a month ago. When I got it, it does appear to be in the process of changing into a male but at the early stages. This last weekend, I finished my quarantine of the male and tried to introduce it to the 180. As I feared, I don't think the change is far enough and the established female started the bully game. I was able to spit the two up and currently have the female in a critter cage in the 180. They can still see each other and act a little angry.
What are the chances that by keeping them separated but together they will work out their differences?

Unfortunately, it won't ever work, as you likely already have a transitioning male present in your tank.

I was always under the impression that if there was an existing male the female would not transition. Is that incorrect?

That is incorrect.

 

[Poriferabob]

Understood. Thank you for your help everyone. Fortunately, I also have a large grow-out system that would benefit from having one of them.

 

[Jeff Jarry reef]

I've had my female Melanurus in my 180 mixed for a few months. I also ordered a male from LiveAquaria about a month ago. When I got it, it does appear to be in the process of changing into a male but at the early stages. This last weekend, I finished my quarantine of the male and tried to introduce it to the 180. As I feared, I don't think the change is far enough and the established female started the bully game. I was able to spit the two up and currently have the female in a critter cage in the 180. They can still see each other and act a little angry.
What are the chances that by keeping them separated but together they will work out their differences?

I have two females in my yank. Yes they a little bit of bullying going on after a couple of days good to go swims together and getting along great.

 

[Jesterrace]

I've had my female Melanurus in my 180 mixed for a few months. I also ordered a male from LiveAquaria about a month ago. When I got it, it does appear to be in the process of changing into a male but at the early stages. This last weekend, I finished my quarantine of the male and tried to introduce it to the 180. As I feared, I don't think the change is far enough and the established female started the bully game. I was able to spit the two up and currently have the female in a critter cage in the 180. They can still see each other and act a little angry.
What are the chances that by keeping them separated but together they will work out their differences?

The issue is that Wrasses don't pair. In the wild they form harems with a dominant male and a group of females. If the male is injured, killed, etc. the largest female begins mimicking male behavior and transitions to male to take over the role. In captivity most Wrasses transition to male. So it's not just a question of time out, it's the fact that you will have 2 males in your tank that will fight each other to the death. This is why you rarely see male and female pairs in captivity (as they are usually short lived) and see people instead mixing wrasses from different species as that is about the only way they co-exist in captivity.

 

[Jesterrace]

I have two females in my yank. Yes they a little bit of bullying going on after a couple of days good to go swims together and getting along great.

For now but the likelihood of both transitioning to male and killing each other at some point is very high.

 

[Jeff Jarry reef]

For now but the likelihood of both transitioning to male and killing each other at some point is very high.

I will keep my on them. If so I will remove one. One female is huge and the other is smaller but I haven't seen any color change yet. Is that a sign of transition
Or I'd there another sign? Thanks

 

[evolved]

The issue is that Wrasses don't pair. In the wild they form harems with a dominant male and a group of females. If the male is injured, killed, etc. the largest female begins mimicking male behavior and transitions to male to take over the role. In captivity most Wrasses transition to male. So it's not just a question of time out, it's the fact that you will have 2 males in your tank that will fight each other to the death. This is why you rarely see male and female pairs in captivity (as they are usually short lived) and see people instead mixing wrasses from different species as that is about the only way they co-exist in captivity.

Right. Maybe this is helpful?:

'Pairing' Wrasses: That's Not How Any of this Works!

It is something I read often: “Where can I buy a female for my male ____ wrasse?” Or: “I want to buy another ____ wrasse and pair them up!” Wait! Time out for a minute! First, we really need some understanding of how wrasses interact and live...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Jeff Jarry reef]

Right. Maybe this is helpful?:

'Pairing' Wrasses: That's Not How Any of this Works!

It is something I read often: “Where can I buy a female for my male ____ wrasse?” Or: “I want to buy another ____ wrasse and pair them up!” Wait! Time out for a minute! First, we really need some understanding of how wrasses interact and live...

www.reef2reef.com

Thank you that clears up alot !!

 

[Jeff Jarry reef]

Right. Maybe this is helpful?:

'Pairing' Wrasses: That's Not How Any of this Works!

It is something I read often: “Where can I buy a female for my male ____ wrasse?” Or: “I want to buy another ____ wrasse and pair them up!” Wait! Time out for a minute! First, we really need some understanding of how wrasses interact and live...

www.reef2reef.com

Can a melenarus and six line be ok together just wondering ? Thanks

 

[evolved]

Can a melenarus and six line be ok together just wondering ? Thanks

No. Pseudocheilinus wrasses do not mix with other wrasses.
Now, this one would be helpful, lol:

All About Reef Safe Wrasses in Aquaria

Introduction My name is Hunter and I am a wrasse addict. Admitting such is the first step to buying another wrasse, I think. Wrasses are not only my passion, but my niche in this hobby since 2010. My tank is full of them, and unfortunately...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Jesterrace]

I will keep my on them. If so I will remove one. One female is huge and the other is smaller but I haven't seen any color change yet. Is that a sign of transition
Or I'd there another sign? Thanks

The larger one will transition first, but the smaller one will follow eventually.

 

[villmets]

I've had my female Melanurus in my 180 mixed for a few months. I also ordered a male from LiveAquaria about a month ago. When I got it, it does appear to be in the process of changing into a male but at the early stages. This last weekend, I finished my quarantine of the male and tried to introduce it to the 180. As I feared, I don't think the change is far enough and the established female started the bully game. I was able to spit the two up and currently have the female in a critter cage in the 180. They can still see each other and act a little angry.
What are the chances that by keeping them separated but together they will work out their differences?

 

[villmets]

Hi...I have recently had it with my lunar wrasse...a stunning fish but CRAZY aggressive. I finally caught him and moved him to the sump. After two weeks or so...I really missed him in my 190 DT ...so I put him back in....it is like he is a new fish...it seems to have "BROKEN" his aggression. I think sometimes the tank needs to re-order ...a well deserved time out may help you...good luck!

 

[Bob Escher]

Can you have two six line wrasses together.

 

[Jesterrace]

Can you have two six line wrasses together.

Sure, if you want to turn your tank into a devil's cauldron of aggression. 6 line wrasses as a single fish are poor choices for community tanks by themselves, so whichever one kills off the other is going to be one nasty little fish by the time it gets done. As mentioned above wrasses in captivity tend to transition to male in captivity regardless of species.

 

[Jesterrace]

Hi...I have recently had it with my lunar wrasse...a stunning fish but CRAZY aggressive. I finally caught him and moved him to the sump. After two weeks or so...I really missed him in my 190 DT ...so I put him back in....it is like he is a new fish...it seems to have "BROKEN" his aggression. I think sometimes the tank needs to re-order ...a well deserved time out may help you...good luck!

Apples to Oranges comparison here though unless you have another Lyretail Wrasse in there. This guy has 2 Melanurus Wrasses that are both the same gender.