Let Me ID Your Wrasse!

[saltyhog]

I sent them the picture posted above and quoted their own description regarding the caudal fin markings. They want to see a white light picture "because it's impossible to make a positive ID with the blue light". I wouldn't have thought coloration would be a definitive help with these two species.

 

[Maritimer]

I wouldn't think so ... but it's a decent delaying tactic, and possibly a "canned" response from a customer service rep who doesn't know the fish themselves, but will pass the request along to someone who does - if the customer doesn't just give up.

~Bruce

 

[evolved]

^Agree with those thoughts. It's not a matter of lighting - the caudal pattern of both species is unique in all lighting. :)

 

[mfinn]

Male or female?

 

[evolved]

Male or female?

Yes. :P
By far the toughest species to distinguish, but male in this instance.

 

[mfinn]

Yes. :p
By far the toughest species to distinguish, but male in this instance.

That's what I thought.
I thought the females were red/orange with a faint light blue color.

 

[mfinn]

This a google image, not sure of the source, but this is what I thought the ornate females looked like.

 

[eatbreakfast]

That's what I thought.
I thought the females were red/orange with a faint light blue color.

The more telling way is by the facial markings and spotting pattern. As a juvenile the facial markings are smaller spots and as they mature the facial markings elongate to give a more striated appearance. The body spotting also becomes more 'organized'.

 

[evolved]

That's what I thought.
I thought the females were red/orange with a faint light blue color.

It's much more about patterns than colors with this species.

This a google image, not sure of the source, but this is what I thought the ornate females looked like.

That's actually a male. ;)

The more telling way is by the facial markings and spotting pattern. As a juvenile the facial markings are smaller spots and as they mature the facial markings elongate to give a more striated appearance. The body spotting also becomes more 'organized'.

Right.
Perhaps some images for illustration?

These are holotypes (dead fish) obviously, but should still give you a good idea as to what to look for.

Male:

Female:

And here's a female in the wild, to provide some contrast to the male mfinn posted/quoted above:

 

[mfinn]

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[mfinn]

And education. lol

 

[Justin poirier]

 

[Justin poirier]

Can some help if my wrasse

 

[eatbreakfast]

Male Halichoeres melanurus.

 

[OREGONIC]

Is this a male or female? Also cant leopard wrasses change sex as they mature?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Is this a male or female? Also cant leopard wrasses change sex as they mature?

It's a female M. meleagris. Yes, leopards can transition, but aren't as reliable about it as fairy, flasher, and Halichoeres wrasses.

 

[85173]

Hello @evolved and @eatbreakfast,

I recently finished reading through this thread and the wrasse lovers thread. I want to thank you both for sharing your knowledge and thank everyone else for asking and answering questions too. Before reading these two threads I knew very little about wrasses at all. But your patient answering of repeated questions has served well to hammer through my brains density! I have learnt so much from you all.

Thank you!

Mick.

 

[OREGONIC]

Hello @evolved and @eatbreakfast,

I recently finished reading through this thread and the wrasse lovers thread. I want to thank you both for sharing your knowledge and thank everyone else for asking and answering questions too. Before reading these two threads I knew very little about wrasses at all. But your patient answering of repeated questions has served well to hammer through my brains density! I have learnt so much from you all.

Thank you!

Mick.

I agree, I started reading through this thread today aswell. I posted a photo earlier before i realized how many pages this thread was which had been asked before and still got a prompt answer. You guys are dedicated. Thank you and cant wait to finish reading it all.

 

[evolved]

Hello @evolved and @eatbreakfast,

I recently finished reading through this thread and the wrasse lovers thread. I want to thank you both for sharing your knowledge and thank everyone else for asking and answering questions too. Before reading these two threads I knew very little about wrasses at all. But your patient answering of repeated questions has served well to hammer through my brains density! I have learnt so much from you all.

Thank you!

Mick.

Thank you!
And there's also this too:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/all-about-reef-safe-wrasses-in-aquaria.28/

I agree, I started reading through this thread today aswell. I posted a photo earlier before i realized how many pages this thread was which had been asked before and still got a prompt answer. You guys are dedicated. Thank you and cant wait to finish reading it all.

It's my [our] pleasure; you're very welcome.

 

[Pife]

Here are some crappy pictures but I can not figure out what he is.