A question for the wrasse experts

[bhsgk]

I have a macropharyngodon meleagris that I believe has started to transition from female to male. I have had the fish about 6 months and about a week ago I noticed the color on the head and along the dorsal has started to dull/change color.

1st. How long will this take approximately? I have seen other threads where the OP says the switch took a few weeks and others where they said it took much,much longer.

2nd. At what point can I add a new female to the tank?

3rd. Should I add a female to the tank?

The tank is a 40B with 1 bartlett anthias, 1 diamond goby, 1 yellowfin flasher, 1 neon goby, 1 m. meleagris, and 1 newly added tiny copperband butterfly.

It's hard to get a clear pic with my iPhone but these two are the best I have so far.

 

[evolved]

1st. How long will this take approximately? I have seen other threads where the OP says the switch took a few weeks and others where they said it took much,much longer.

2nd. At what point can I add a new female to the tank?

3rd. Should I add a female to the tank?

1. A few weeks to many months. There is no definitive answer here; what you've read is true.

2. Any time

3. Only if you want a one; there's no requirement for a male to have one. However, it does seem you're at the stocking limits of the tank already IMO.

 

[hybrid]

from the picture it looks like your still a few months away maybe longer mine have been like that for over a year but when my blue star female started to transition it only took about a month & it was a site to see