What Type of Flasher Wrasse?

[akabryanhall]

Bought both of these without the vendor knowing quite what they were.
First one I've had for a while. If it helps, he gets white eyebrows when he flashes.

This guy picked up today. Sold as a Long Fin Flasher but that's not right.

Thanks guys!

 

[firsttime]

The first one can be a carpenters or mccoskes , the second one is a male dot dash flasher wrasse

 

[Aquaph8]

Does the top one have any filaments? It hard to tell.

 

[Aquaph8]

I agree with first time on the second

 

[akabryanhall]

Thanks guys. The top one doesn't have filaments. I have had a mcCoskers and Carpenters at one point but I don't recall the white spot above both eyes. Agreed on the second one. I was doing searches earlier but none seemed to look quite like it. It's definitely that though.

 

[Aquaph8]

My best guess is the top one is a female which all look really similar and hard to ID. Flashers are tough, this is why LFS buy them wholesale as assorted flashers. I always look them over for anything interesting cause they are known to hybridize and you never know when that cool flasher will show up that most would never notice.

 

[Zack]

I had one just like the second pic. Bought it as a whip fin flasher wrasse. It jumped out of my tank a month ago:(

 

[akabryanhall]

I built a screen. I've probably lost $300 in carpet jerky. Never again!!!!! sorry for your loss. I definitely know how you feel.

 

[akabryanhall]

My best guess is the top one is a female which all look really similar and hard to ID. Flashers are tough, this is why LFS buy them wholesale as assorted flashers. I always look them over for anything interesting cause they are known to hybridize and you never know when that cool flasher will show up that most would never notice.

I thought it mat be female but I've seen this little guy fluoresce a few time. His flashing aint up to speed yet but he's working on it.

 

[evolved]

Paracheilinus carpenteri (female)
Paracheilinus lineopunctatus (male)

 

[akabryanhall]

Paracheilinus carpenteri (female)
Paracheilinus lineopunctatus (male)

Hey Evolved,
Thanks for the info! How can you be sure the small one is female? Can females change colors like males?

 

[evolved]

Mainly the absence of coloration in the fins (translucent) and there being no prominent dorsal filament.

Females will not flash, however without a male she'll transition to male with time.

 

[akabryanhall]

Very cool! Will the presence of the male dot dash inhibit the transformation?

 

[evolved]

Maybe, but I doubt it.