Leopard Wrasses in groups

[mfinn]

I ordered 4 female meleagris wrasses from liveaquaria and I've had them almost 2 weeks. All 4 are looking good, eating frozen mysis, and roe pretty aggressively.
I already have one female meleagris in my 240 that is a little bigger than these.
I bought 4 with the hopes of 2 surviving. That may sound bad, but lately I've had bad luck with wrasses from LA.
I figured 3 would be a good group, with hopefully one turning male.
But now I may be faced with the decision of adding all 4 to have a total of 5 in the 240.

Does this sound like a bad idea?

What are the chances of more than one changing to male?

I see one in the group that seems to be a little dominate over the others.

 

[eatbreakfast]

It should be fine. Having a larger group can diffuse the aggression of the male.

 

[mfinn]

It should be fine. Having a larger group can diffuse the aggression of the male.

I'm worried that more than one can turn male.


I have 5 lyretail anthias that have been in my tank now for about 6 months and a month ago I noticed on was changing, going from the orange to almost a purple, which I thought was cool. Then a week or so ago I see another changing too.
There doesn't seem to be much aggression between the two, but I don't see how it can not happen.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I'm worried that more than one can turn male.


I have 5 lyretail anthias that have been in my tank now for about 6 months and a month ago I noticed on was changing, going from the orange to almost a purple, which I thought was cool. Then a week or so ago I see another changing too.
There doesn't seem to be much aggression between the two, but I don't see how it can not happen.

While it is not impossible for more than one to transition, it is unlikely. Anthias are much more likely to transition than leopard wrasses are.

 

[mfinn]

While it is not impossible for more than one to transition, it is unlikely. Anthias are much more likely to transition than leopard wrasses are.

Thanks.

 

[evolved]

I feel you would probably be okay as well. I'd give it a go if I were in your shoes.

 

[Vu337]

i'll take some off your hands.

 

[mfinn]

i'll take some off your hands.

lol

 

[mfinn]

After 2 weeks of Prazipro, I noticed a very occasional scratching by one.
Maybe once every 5-10 minutes.

So they started a few weeks of copper yesterday.

 

[rayn]

Copper? Is this good with the leopard wrasse?

 

[evolved]

Copper? Is this good with the leopard wrasse?

Simply my opinion, but I would avoid it.

 

[mfinn]

I am using what a couple different people here recommended. Coppersafe.

 

[mfinn]

Simply my opinion, but I would avoid it.

What would you recommend after 2 rounds of prazipro have been done, and seeing some scratching?

I hate using copper. I hate the test kits.

 

[rayn]

It's not the issue with copper, it's in their reaction or lack of being able to deal with copper. Maybe the coppersafe is easier on them.

I would either hypo or TTM.

 

[eatbreakfast]

We have been using copper a little more recently at the shop and the wrasses have been doing well. Going slow on bringing the copper up seems to be key.

I have found hypo to be harsher on leopards than copper.

TTM is great, but a bit of a pain

 

[mfinn]

I'm taking 4 days to bring the coppersafe up to 2.0, with a half a daily dose in the morning after they eat. Then the other half in the evening after they eat again.

If there was a better alternative I would use it.
I just don't have the room to do TTM.

 

[evolved]

What would you recommend after 2 rounds of prazipro have been done, and seeing some scratching?

TTM, considering how well they seem to be doing for you. But:

TTM is great, but a bit of a pain

There is that aspect. It is a pain.

I just don't have the room to do TTM.

And then there's that too. You do need the space for two tanks.

So all considered, you might not have many choices. CP is also an option, but getting some can be a tall task.

 

[mfinn]

So all considered, you might not have many choices. CP is also an option, but getting some can be a tall task.

I was told not to use CP.
I have CP and use it most of the time.

 

[evolved]

I'm guessing Humblefish gave that advice, in which case, trust him over I in this department.

 

[mfinn]

I'm guessing Humblefish gave that advice, in which case, trust him over I in this department.

oh darn.
I had a brief hope of getting away from this copper routine.