Female Melanarus or Adorned Wrasse?

[Bmw015]

It’s been sold to me as a Melanarus Wrasse.

 

[joe0813]

looks like a female to me

 

[Gtinnel]

I've never had a female melanarus so I am only going by pictures but if it were a female melanurus wouldn't the second spot be closer to the tail fin? I don't know anything about adorned wrasses but I don't think it's a female melanarus.

 

[PanchoG]

Female melanarus.

 

[Tarlon]

Female 100%. I have male and female in the same tank

 

[Gtinnel]

How can you guys tell it is a melanarus instead of an adorned wrasse? I keep looking at pictures online of adorned wrasses and it looks identical to me.

 

[SaltyT]

It’s been sold to me as a Melanarus Wrasse.

Your suspicion is correct, that is halichoeres cosmetus (adorned) not melanurus. Female melanurus don't have a spot on the end of their dorsal, they have a spot on the base of their caudal fin. IMO you still got a very nice wrasse, cosmetus aren't as common and they're beautiful when they become terminal males.

 

[OrionN]

You do not have a Melanurus wrasse (Female or otherwise). This is my Female and Juvenile Vrolik which is essentially indistinguishable from a Melanurus Wrasse until they turn male. The only different between a Female Vrolik and Female Melanurus wrasse is the tail pattern, plus Vrolik is slightly larger.