The Wrasse Lover's Thread!

[Tamberav]

I hope not. I really love my Leopards. All of mine were small juveniles when I got them. Now, two are full grown males, a Meleagris Leopard and a Black Leopard, the rest are females or juveniles. I hope mine will live more than 6 years.

Ah you have two males? They get along then since the tank is so large?

 

[OrionN]

Ah you have two males? They get along then since the tank is so large?

Both of the male Leopards, a Black and a Meleagris, get along fine.

 

[Tamberav]

Both of the male Leopards, a Black and a Meleagris, get along fine.

Thanks. Was just wondering as would like to add 2 males + misc females in my upgrade. Was going to add the males at the same time hoping that would work.

 

[OrionN]

Thanks. Was just wondering as would like to add 2 males + misc females in my upgrade. Was going to add the males at the same time hoping that would work.

My Leopards were added as small Juveniles. The Black Leopard turn male first and the Meleagris turn male about 6 months later. Size wise the Meleagris leopard male is about .75 inch larger at about just shy of 5 inches while the Black leopard is just larger than 4 inches.

 

[Tamberav]

My Leopards were added as small Juveniles. The Black Leopard turn male first and the Meleagris turn male about 6 months later. Size wise the Meleagris leopard male is about .75 inch larger at about just shy of 5 inches while the Black leopard is just larger than 4 inches.

Do you think it matters if they are added as male or naturally turn? I am guessing it is just a crap shoot? I might just pick up the black male and let the rest turn if they want. The black male was miss-labeled and is inexpensive so that makes it tempting. Buying him would be cheaper than buying a female. The male blue star is one of my favorite males though but also not sure if my female will one day turn male anyway or maybe decide not to.

 

[OrionN]

There is an article on reefs.com that talk about the genetic of Leopard wrasse. In it Lemon TeaYK divided these wrasses into clade according to the genetic variation.
I imagine that male wrasse that are genetically closer will likely have more aggressive interaction with each other. Attached the family tree of these species. It is a really great article on this Genus of wrasse

https://reefs.com/magazine/macropharyngodon-tale-throated-teeth/

 

[tymo92]

Speaking of Macropharyngodon... just got shipped this M. vivienae a few hours ago. She's laying on her side in the acclimation box. Should I be concerned or add sand to the box? Coloration doesn't seem very vibrant but hopefully that is just stress.

 

[SaltyT]

Speaking of Macropharyngodon... just got shipped this M. vivienae a few hours ago. She's laying on her side in the acclimation box. Should I be concerned or add sand to the box? Coloration doesn't seem very vibrant but hopefully that is just stress.

That's a sign of extreme stress. Is it breathing rapidly?

 

[tymo92]

That's a sign of extreme stress. Is it breathing rapidly?

I’d say breathing somewhat rapidly. Acclimation was a quick 5 minutes after bag was opened as salinity was within 1ppt.

 

[Brit’s Fish]

Hmmm, the more I look at my new 'carpenter's' wrasse, the more I believe it might actually be a yellowfin... It has just one, bright red, filament and when flashing has a bright yellow dorsal and anal fin. Tailfin has a slight yellow hue with a purple/blue stripe going from top to bottom in the middle and on the outer edge of the tailfin as well.

Can't say that I'm particularly good at differentiating between various wrasses, just something I noticed. Any thoughts?

I added what I thought was a Carpenter’s Flasher Wrasse to one of my tanks not too long ago & found that I also have a Yellowfin! beautiful fish either way!
Edit: SaltyT is the one who correctly IDed him! :)

 

[Brit’s Fish]

So now I have to ask after having a conversation with my LFS who had very different fish labeled as Yellow Coris Wrasse. Theirs had white bellies but I have what I thought was a YCW. So now I’m confused!
@SaltyT @evolved thoughts? also, any thoughts on how old he might be? The spot on his tail is disappearing now & he’s grown at least an inch since I got him 6-7 months ago. Love this guy but he’s shy!

 

[85173]

So now I have to ask after having a conversation with my LFS who had very different fish labeled as Yellow Coris Wrasse. Theirs had white bellies but I have what I thought was a YCW. So now I’m confused!
@SaltyT @evolved thoughts? also, any thoughts on how old he might be? The spot on his tail is disappearing now & he’s grown at least an inch since I got him 6-7 months ago. Love this guy but he’s shy!

The yellow belly is H. Chrysus. The white belly is H. Leucoxanthus. Do searches on those names and you'll see the difference.

 

[Brit’s Fish]

The yellow belly is H. Chrysus. The white belly is H. Leucoxanthus. Do searches on those names and you'll see the difference.

And both are referred to as Yellow Coris? I see that mine is H. Chrysus, as you said, and one of the names is Banana Wrasse... I like that name better anyways! :)

 

[SaltyT]

So now I have to ask after having a conversation with my LFS who had very different fish labeled as Yellow Coris Wrasse. Theirs had white bellies but I have what I thought was a YCW. So now I’m confused!
@SaltyT @evolved thoughts? also, any thoughts on how old he might be? The spot on his tail is disappearing now & he’s grown at least an inch since I got him 6-7 months ago. Love this guy but he’s shy!

Yep, yours is H. Chrysus and is a young transitioning male.

 

[SaltyT]

I’d say breathing somewhat rapidly. Acclimation was a quick 5 minutes after bag was opened as salinity was within 1ppt.

How’s your vivienae doing now? Any improvement?

 

[Tamberav]

There is an article on reefs.com that talk about the genetic of Leopard wrasse. In it Lemon TeaYK divided these wrasses into clade according to the genetic variation.
I imagine that male wrasse that are genetically closer will likely have more aggressive interaction with each other. Attached the family tree of these species. It is a really great article on this Genus of wrasse

https://reefs.com/magazine/macropharyngodon-tale-throated-teeth/

Thank you. I forgot about this table completely.

I bought just one male and decided on the black as they seem less common. He is getting his peroxide dip before he goes into the conditioning tank for QT. He was eating like a champ at the store.

Here are just some the others they had... all also eating. They had a lot of leopards in stock and all seemed great.

 

[SaltyT]

Thank you. I forgot about this table completely.

I bought just one male and decided on the black as they seem less common. He is getting his peroxide dip before he goes into the conditioning tank for QT. He was eating like a champ at the store.

Your male negrosensis is gorgeous! Very nice addition!

 

[Tamberav]

Your male negrosensis is gorgeous! Very nice addition!

thanks! Hopefully he settles in okay. He is a bit riled up in the dip and showing his colors. Few more min and done though and then he can go bury in the sand.

If I had went by Live Aquaria photo.. I would have thought this was supposed to be an ugly fish.

 

[Tcook]

Just got this girl in today from TSM along with a pink streak. Will spend 4 weeks here before going to the DT. Ate mysis like a pig within 5 minutes.

 

[OrionN]

Speaking of Macropharyngodon... just got shipped this M. vivienae a few hours ago. She's laying on her side in the acclimation box. Should I be concerned or add sand to the box? Coloration doesn't seem very vibrant but hopefully that is just stress.

Hopefully she will recover for you. She have a extremely stressed in that picture. Good luck