Lineatus Wrasse: Adding Another to Make a Pair...

[evolved]

First off, I should introduce myself. I often lurk here for wrasse info and pictures, but I will admit I've never posted on this forum. I am active on a couple others, so you may recognize the user name.

I have a year old 120gal reef (heavy on SPS and LPS). I'm also a wrasse freak, as I know many are here. So I've come in seek of some knowledge.

Stock list:
M/F Pair of Flame Wrasses
Scott's Wrasse (quite mild & timid)
Lineatus Wrasse
Melanarus Wrasse
Canary Wrasse
Tomini Tang
Pair of B&W O Clowns
2 Bartlett's Anthias

I've kept quite a few other fairys/flasher before, but I've lost 5 or so to carpet surfing, one way or another. My tank has never been uncovered either, but my current 1/4" mesh top has proven to be 100% effective. Just to get that aspect out of the way..

So here's where things get "interesting", so to speak.

I'd really love to add another Lineatus, after recently seeing what a terminal male actually looks like in person (I stared for 5 min). I'm certain I do not have a terminal male, but I'm not sure if he/she is female or not. I know I could "probably" add a terminal male and be okay (granted, YMMV). I also know the safest way would be to add another female/sub-dominant male, but those are hard to find in contrast to terminal males.

So here's where I'd like some advice/experience. I.E. - what's my "best" course of action?

The current lineatus has been in the tank 6-7 months (and was not the most recent addition - the melanarus and tomini tang were added since it). It was definitely female at purchase, but has picked up considerable color since then. He/she is also the most aggressive wrasse in the tank, and I keep reading females are known to be aggressive. Point being, I feel like I could add a terminal male and get away with it...

Pictures for reference; these are pretty recent:

 

[MarvinsReef]

I would go with a smaller one for sure. good luck. :)

 

[evolved]

So in your opinion a terminal male would be a bad idea? Say like something from PIA? ;)

 

[MarvinsReef]

So in your opinion a terminal male would be a bad idea? Say like something from PIA? ;)

yes. I have two males in my tank atm. one, I would consider a Terminal male and one male. they have been together for a year. I started with three males but the other one was very close to being a terminal male as well so the two terminal males went at it so I had to let one go. the decision is still yours though if you want to risk it or not. just make sure you introduce the new addition using an acclimation box. good luck.

 

[evolved]

Thanks Marvin. I know it can be done, but understand it's risky.

I suppose I was more after how "far along" my lineatus appeared, with the understanding that's a subjective question.

Sidenote: I say I have a M/F pair of flames, but I really believe the female is a sub dominate male. She was female when I first purchased them, but I watched her try to change to terminal male. There was a dominance fight between the two and all, but it never got too serious. He/she has since had some degree of reversal, as he/she lost most (but not all) of the color he/she picked up and there is no more aggression between the two. In fact, they are rarely apart from each other in the tank again. (No, I didn't document/take pictures of the whole thing as I should have - shame on me).

 

[MarvinsReef]

Thanks Marvin. I know it can be done, but understand it's risky.

I suppose I was more after how "far along" my lineatus appeared, with the understanding that's a subjective question.

Sidenote: I say I have a M/F pair of flames, but I really believe the female is a sub dominate male. She was female when I first purchased them, but I watched her try to change to terminal male. There was a dominance fight between the two and all, but it never got too serious. He/she has since had some degree of reversal, as he/she lost most (but not all) of the color he/she picked up and there is no more aggression between the two. In fact, they are rarely apart from each other in the tank again. (No, I didn't document/take pictures of the whole thing as I should have - shame on me).

yeah, from the pictures, your Lineatus look like it is a male.

same story goes for my HI Flames. I started with 2 females Oct 09. one started turning male around fall last year. the other one soon followed turning into male. from what I can see, they are both males now. the bigger one still keeps the smaller male in check, but the bigger hasn't fully transformed into a Terminal male. both are nice yellow but lack the vibrant blue lines on their fins found on SuperMales. I think they have also come into an agreement on having their own space. lastly, the same process in happening with my Rhomboids. ;)

 

[texsun]

Just to echo what Marvin said, I have a Pink Margin at very similar sub-adult stage as your Lineatus. I came across a beautiful terminal male and added it to my tank thinking the sub-adult would revert/stay female. The sub-adult aggressively harassed the terminal from the get go. I let it go thinking they'd work it out eventually, but a couple of months later and the terminal's gone and the sub-adult is now clearly a male. I guess it's a roll of the dice and next time I'll go with a clear female rather than the alpha male route.

 

[evolved]

Hmm, now I am starting to get a little discouraged... and I was really ready to take the jump. The PIA terminals males just look so nice...

I'm trying to ultimately kill 2 birds with one stone; I'd like a lineatus with the coloration of a terminal male, as well as "tone down" the aggression of mine. I realize you can't change the attitude of an individual fish, but I feel as though a conspecific would distract/advert the attention/behavior. Tell me if I'm dreaming please :)

Will my lineatus eventually obtain terminal male coloration? (subjective question again)

Also, could anyone direct me to a reputable/quality place to find a smaller female? (mine is 3.5-4")

Another route I could go: trade my lineatus for a rhomboid at a LFS; obtain a terminal male lineatus from PIA.

 

[MarvinsReef]

Another route I could go: trade my lineatus for a rhomboid at a LFS; obtain a terminal male lineatus from PIA.

I would do this. :)

 

[evolved]

Why did I know that would be your answer? :bigsmile:

Anyone else?

 

[MarvinsReef]

Why did I know that would be your answer? :bigsmile:

Anyone else?

fairy wrasse trilogy to me: Lineatus, Rhomboid, HI Flame

:bigsmile:

 

[MarvinsReef]

Why did I know that would be your answer? :bigsmile:

Anyone else?

fairy wrasse trilogy to me: Lineatus, Rhomboid, HI Flame

:bigsmile:

 

[evolved]

Well, all is done now. I got a gorgeous Lineatus from PIA, caught and traded my old lineatus for a rhomboid at a LFS. I got the rhomboid for $100 with my trade and I was quite happy with that. Catching the old lineatus wasn't so fun... I'll admit I resorted to the barbless #12 hook method (boy, was that an easy catch though, lol. Literally took me 30 seconds).

Picture are in my tank thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/58031-evolveds-120gal-wrasse-reef-tank.html