flasher wrasse question

[rdevoe11]

so Ive been reading up on flasher wrasse, as Im interested in getting a McCosker's..my lfs is expecting to get several females in but no males..I think I understand the whole male-female sex change behavior exhibited by these fish, so my question is, if I pick up two of the females, one will ultimately become a male (hopefully reaching that incredible terminal phase lol)?


suppose I should toss out that I have a 40b/20L sump set up with a clown pair


thanks!

 

[evolved]

To answer your question, yes. But I'd urgue you to ensure what is labeled as female is actually female.

I can assist there with a decent picture.

The tank also MUST be completely covered with 1/4" mesh or the equivalent.

 

[Baldguy]

If it were me I'd get two male flashers of different species. You might have a long wait for a female to change into a male. Get two males and you have two great looking fish instead of one nice male (eventually) and the more drab female. On a side note DD will have a few terminal male flashers today in about 45 minutes.

 

[rdevoe11]

Thanks a lot guys! DD has a terminal male...sadly I can't pull the trigger on it as I really can't leave work (I could I'd just rather not lol) to come home to acclimate a fish..arghhhgjhhbg

 

[rdevoe11]

Evolved, are there any tell tale signs for determining male vs female? Something anyone with two eyes and pulse could maybe pick out? Lol

 

[rdevoe11]

Oh and the 40b has the 1/4" brs mesh top..quarantines have full hoods

 

[Marshall O]

Evolved, are there any tell tale signs for determining male vs female? Something anyone with two eyes and pulse could maybe pick out? Lol

Hunter can likely better explain, but as juveniles/females, their pectoral, dorsal, caudal & anal fins will be almost clear. Once they start to transition, these will start to "color up". In addition, the dorsal and anal fins will start to elongate, and the caudal fin will start the transition into whatever the terminal male shape is (i.e. diamond, crescent, lyretail, etc.). Their body will also start changing colors to transition into the terminal male coloring.

 

[Marshall O]

Although these are examples of C. lubbocki (Fairy Wrasse), it still shows what I am talking about. Here is my pair of Lubbock's:


Note that the one on the right is just starting the transition. When I got it, it looked identical to the female on the left.


Here is the transitional male.


Almost there!


And how he looks today as a terminal male :)

 

[rdevoe11]

Very nice! I appreciate the responses..lfs won't be receiving the fish until tomorrow so one. more. day.

 

[evolved]

Evolved, are there any tell tale signs for determining male vs female? Something anyone with two eyes and pulse could maybe pick out? Lol

Tell tale? Not really; there's a lot of subtleties to note. But Marshall does have the crux of it below. The difficulty is making the determination between female and sub-male.

Hunter can likely better explain, but as juveniles/females, their pectoral, dorsal, caudal & anal fins will be almost clear. Once they start to transition, these will start to "color up". In addition, the dorsal and anal fins will start to elongate, and the caudal fin will start the transition into whatever the terminal male shape is (i.e. diamond, crescent, lyretail, etc.). Their body will also start changing colors to transition into the terminal male coloring.