Any luck with female fairies staying female?

[LukFox]

I have the opportunity to get a pair of flame fairy wrasses, but at this point I am rather hesitant because I always hear of female fairies and flashers becoming males even in the presence of a dominant male. I experienced this problem myself with a pair of McCosker's flashers.

So my question is how common is this changing really? Have any of you kept a female fairy or flasher wrasse for a year or more without it turning male if a male is already present? I just have to wonder if buying a pair of fairies is even worth it after all I've read about failed attempts. I'd like to hear your experiences!

 

[bradleyj]

My 2 female rhomboids turned male and now I have 3 males. And my female flame turned male.

Luckily, they are all good with each other.

 

[SDguy]

I started with one large flame male and three small females. The male flashed all the time. It was great. One female turned male resulting in the males having a massive fight one night. Neither flashes since that day, but they otherwise get along fine. The other two females are big now, but still technically females I guess, though the males pay them no attention. Frankly I get zero social interaction at a high bioload cost of 4 large fish. I'm not terribly thrilled with the outcome, even though there is no aggression at all between the 4 fish.

 

[LukFox]

Pretty sad news, especially that your flames don't even display anymore, Peter. I guess I should stop thinking about the pair of flames. I don't have dither fish for a sub male to get "lost" in and my rocks are pretty open. I couldn't even get my McCosker's males from fighting in a 6 foot tank, so two flame males probably wouldn't work for me either.

 

[snorvich]

With two flame females, I can almost guarantee one will change.

 

[LKGRenegade22]

I know everyone has different experiences but I would love to buy more female flame wrasses for my tank but just can't bring myself too.

I intitially bought a harem of flame wrasses (5) that had been in a DT at a LFS for over 6 months. They did fine for a few months then they kicked one of the females out of the group and started picking on her so I sold her. Then another female turned male and I ended up with 2 pairs. Then one male disappeared and the 2 females started turning and fighting each other, resulting in the death of one. By the time I caught it the fish was too badly injured to recover even though I surely tried to make it happen. So now I have 2 males. They have been together for months and had no issues but they were almost like a group of chromis, just picking one off and then moving onto the next one except obviously at a much higher cost than chromis!!!

The only wrasses I have had stay female over a year was a pink margin female and a bluesided fairy. Everything else has turned male for me. Rhomboids, Laboutis, Lineatus, and Flames.

 

[tubntxawg]

I find it best is to have 2 female and 1 male... seem like the male able to keep both the female in check, and not get them to turn into males... if that made any sense... Good luck!

 

[SDguy]

Pretty sad news, especially that your flames don't even display anymore, Peter.

That's really the kicker for me. It's as if they came to an agreement: no flashing allowed, otherwise they'll fight.

My anthias have never failed to provide both color and amazing social interactions. Just a suggestive comment

 

[LukFox]

That's really the kicker for me. It's as if they came to an agreement: no flashing allowed, otherwise they'll fight.

My anthias have never failed to provide both color and amazing social interactions. Just a suggestive comment

I've been giving anthias some thought since seeing the results of this thread. I already feed the fish enough, so I guess it is time to browse the anthias photo library.

 

[SDguy]

:lol: Just saw one of my "females" displaying...

I'm now at 3:1 M:F.

Is it possible all the smaller anthias they school with give them the "impression" of living with lots of females, so they turn to males?

 

[LukFox]

It is possible I think! My McCosker flasher has been displaying to my resplendent anthias constantly ever since I added them, just like he used to for his female (who turned male).

 

[SDguy]

And FWIW, I was being kind of a rain cloud in this thread. I have to admit the colors on these fish are still AMAZING, even with the issues.

 

[LukFox]

And FWIW, I was being kind of a rain cloud in this thread. I have to admit the colors on these fish are still AMAZING, even with the issues.

Haha that's fine. If not for the rain clouding in this thread I wouldn't have ever given anthias another thought. I am really liking these resplendents now! They glow in person, really amazing. However I still have not given up on loris, my very favorite anthias, we'll see how that works out.

 

[SDguy]

I have one lori that is doing great, but will only eat frozen foods. I wouldn't mind a couple more, but don't want to deal with the hassle of adapting them to captivity, ATM

 

[LukFox]

Frozen food isn't much of a bother to me, but adapting them was very tough ! My first try just did not do well, they weren't in good shape. I picked up the group DD offered this week and these are visibly in MUCH better condition than my first group. Fingers crossed on these guys.

 

[SDguy]

Grate some frozen shrimp or scallop... it's amazing what a perfect size that makes. They go nuts for it.

 

[LukFox]

Will do! They have so far turned their noses up to nutramar ova and tiny nls pellets, but they go nuts for mysis. I've only had them since Thursday so even one food item has me excited haha. I already have prawns so I'll go give that a go.