Wrasse identification.

[Christopher Davis]

Hello members help me identify this wrasse I have it now for almost a year and it has completely changed colors as it is maturing!? I was told it is a coris wrasse but it has recently went from all yellow to white and rainbow colored fins and scales with its cheek patches following? Any advise?!

 

[Salty1962]

Halichoeres leucoxanthus?

 

[Christopher Davis]

Halichoeres leucoxanthus?

That looks exactly like it! It says that they will turn pink?! When fully mature?!

 

[Salty1962]

That looks exactly like it! It says that they will turn pink?! When fully mature?!

We have some experts here that know allot more about Wrasses than I do. Maybe they'll chime in on this. Beautiful fish!

 

[Christopher Davis]

We have some experts here that know allot more about Wrasses than I do. Maybe they'll chime in on this. Beautiful fish!

I sure hope so I would love to find out more!

 

[AquaSpaces]

I agree with salty1962 based on your pictures. It would be great if you had some clear pictures of it as a juvenile before starting to transition.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Yes, H. leucoxanthus, the half yellow, half white body is the mature colors on it.

 

[4FordFamily]

I agree, common name "yellow and purple wrasse" and "four spot wrasse" and is often mislabeled as a "yellow coris" which is a different species altogether and not a true coris anyway but that's another discussion.

Beautiful specimen!

 

[Christopher Davis]

I agree with salty1962 based on your pictures. It would be great if you had some clear pictures of it as a juvenile before starting to transition.

I
Will see if I can find a pic from a while back!

 

[Christopher Davis]

Here is an old pic I found the black dots have disappeared all but one behind his/her head. Anyone know if this is a male or female? Or do they look the same? What kind of coloration will this fish get as it matures or is that all it's going to color up?
My LFS told me it was a coris wrase but thanks to you guys that's clearly not the case!

 

[eatbreakfast]

Yours is a male now. The striations on the face and disappearing eyespots are how to tell.

 

[Christopher Davis]

Yours is a male now. The striations on the face and disappearing eyespots are how to tell.

Awesome thank you! So it's fully changed colors then?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Yup, maybe a bit more intensity of color, but that's a mature male for sure.

 

[Christopher Davis]

Update on my wrasse! The colors are really showing now! My favorite fish next to my clown tang!

 

[saltyhog]

Beautiful wrasse!

 

[Christopher Davis]

Beautiful wrasse!

Thanks!!!

 

[Rybren]

It sure is.