Melanurus initial phase to terminal phase

[125mph]

I just got a small melanurus with the colorations of an initial phase. Its very small, maybe 1.5”.

I assumed it would change to terminal phase given time but now I realize I may be incorrect?

How does this actually work? I have no idea if my wrasse is a juv male or juv female.

Looks like this picture:

 

[Derrick0580]

Doesn’t matter what sex you bought. Given enough time it will become a male. Took my juvi around a year to start showing terminal phase colors. Unfortunately it found a crack in my lid and found the floor multiple times until it jumped when no one was home to save it!

 

[nereefpat]

All small juveniles are female.

1.5" is really small. From memory, mine took more than a year (maybe longer) and was probably closer to 2 - 2 1/2" when I got it in the mail.