Female/Juvenile Melanarus Wrasse Changing to Male?

[atp0726]

My LFS has what is labeled a Pinstripe Wrasse for sale which is obviously a male or female juvenile melanarus. The colors are pretty drab and its relatively small at around 1.5". What are the chances of this turning to a male and gaining the bright male coloring?

 

[Diesel]

It's possible.
You will speed up the process by having two females.
@evolved can tell you all about the process.

 

[eatbreakfast]

H. melanurus, usually transitions into male relatively quickly in aquaria without another one present.

In fact, with two, both will transition to male, then there will be a lot of aggression between the two.

 

[atp0726]

H. melanurus, usually transitions into male relatively quickly in aquaria without another one present.

In fact, with two, both will transition to male, then there will be a lot of aggression between the two.

Do all melanarus wrasses start out with the drab coloring and transition to the adult male coloring if other males are not present?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Melanurus wrasses almost always transition into males regardless of whether another one, male or female, is present.

 

[townjas]

Can you post a picture? My Melanurus was never what I would have called drab.

 

[4FordFamily]

Can you post a picture? My Melanurus was never what I would have called drab.

Most you find in the hobby over 2.5" are already male. Female/juvenile are often mislabeled as a different wrasse.

 

[eatbreakfast]

When compared to a male, these can understandably be considered drab.

 

[townjas]

When compared to a male, these can understandably be considered drab.

If I were to guess I would say that looks like an adorned wrasse

 

[Salty1962]

If I were to guess I would say that looks like an adorned wrasse

No, it's a Melanurus, just real young

 

[Baldguy]

I have a female almost 4" long. As I understand it when the eye spot on the dorsal goes away and the coloration is more blue than green you've got a male. I've had my female about 6 months and no change.

 

[evolved]

It's possible.

Better than "possible"; more like nearly a guarantee.

You will speed up the process by having two females.

And also would be highly likely to eventually end up with multiple males. I would not advise this path.

H. melanurus, usually transitions into male relatively quickly in aquaria without another one present.

In fact, with two, both will transition to male, then there will be a lot of aggression between the two.

Yes and yes

I have a female almost 4" long. As I understand it when the eye spot on the dorsal goes away and the coloration is more blue than green you've got a male. I've had my female about 6 months and no change.

As an aside, a captive juvenile will typically transition faster than a wild female which then adapts to captivity. The odds are still very high yours will transition, but it's also likely to take longer.

 

[alicia24]

Better than "possible"; more like nearly a guarantee.

And also would be highly likely to eventually end up with multiple males. I would not advise this path.


Yes and yes


As an aside, a captive juvenile will typically transition faster than a wild female which then adapts to captivity. The odds are still very high yours will transition, but it's also likely to take longer.

I know this is a super old thread but how long does it typically take a juvienelle female to turn male? I just got one today it's about 1.5 inches. I bought it because I thought they automatically turned male?

 

[nereefpat]

It will turn male eventually. 1.5" is really tiny. I would expect to wait a year or more.

It think it was at least a year, probably longer, from mine to go from a drab 2-2.5" to a decent looking fish. The eventual 4+" specimen is definitely worth the wait, however.

 

[alicia24]

It will turn male eventually. 1.5" is really tiny. I would expect to wait a year or more.

It think it was at least a year, probably longer, from mine to go from a drab 2-2.5" to a decent looking fish. The eventual 4+" specimen is definitely worth the wait, however.

Ok thank you!! That makes me feel much better about the purchase

 

[907_Reefer]

My melanurus today at 18 months, 3-4":

 

[nereefpat]

My melanurus today at 18 months, 3-4":

How big was it when you got it?

 

[907_Reefer]

How big was it when you got it?

About 2" if I recall. Pulled an old pic below, from July 2022 ~about 3 weeks in the tank.

Initial pic above is no filter, Radion XR15 at straight 10k. I believe the older pic below was through an orange Orphek filter, Radions on AB+.

 

[alicia24]

About 2" if I recall. Pulled an old pic below, from July 2022 ~about 3 weeks in the tank.

Initial pic above is no filter, Radion XR15 at straight 10k. I believe the older pic below was through an orange Orphek filter, Radions on AB+.

Mine looks just like the second pic! Really hoping it will look like the first pic you sent that is a gorgeous fjsh

 

[DaneGer21]

Here’s mine…about 2”-2.5”