Certainly not unheard of, but this also means your "female" is at least a transitional male. If it only occurs in one spot, you could put some white paper on the outside of the tank to kill the reflection for a bit.
OK thanks could you tell if it is a transitional male from a picture
Of course.
Of course.
OK this is the best picture I can getWell, perhaps I should be more specific; yes - with a photo in focus under white-ish lighting.
The biggest tell-tale I'd look for is the false eye at the leading edge of the dorsal fin - neither of which I can clearly see in either photo. It's clear that the fish is exiting the juvi phase (color appearing in the caudal) at least. If the false eye at the front of the dorsal is also fading away, then transitional male it certainly is. But regardless, it is just a matter of time with the behavior you're observing - a female wouldn't fight a "rival" conspecific.OK this is the best picture I can get
OK thanks the false eye is very small on the dorsal fin
Sometimes. How large is the tank?
90 gallons
Then the odds are not necessarily in your favor. I probably wouldn't attempt it.
OK thanks
Not like H. hortulanus, but more aggressive than H. melanurus. And yes, their size is somewhere between the two species as well. Definitely a good sized fish (eventually) for a 90g.
Yh is there any other wrasse I could put in with a dusky or no
Cirrhilabrus or Paracheilinus should be okay. The very aggressive Cirrhilabrus species should be avoided though.
should I also avoid any more halichoeres wrasse aswell
The safest play would be to avoid them, yes. The risk with them is a little higher than the risk with a Macropharyngodon.
