Can most male wrasse turn female?

[JaneG]

Hey all,

I have a pair of Pink Streaked wrasse (pseudocheilinops ataenia). The two of them have been living in my 18g nano tank for about 6 months now but I am starting to have problems with them! They used to spawn every few days, but have stopped perhaps a couple of months ago. The male would then chase the female around spawning time (3-5pm) but I didn't think much of it. I don't know if they stopped spawning because I have reduced their feeding to once per day though.

Anyway, about a week ago the male has started being VERY aggressive with the female. He chases her all over the tank - after 1 day of this, I have separated them. A 2 day time-out for the male didn't help either, so I have them still divided. I am wondering if the female has changed male - and most importantly what I should do? Is it a good idea with wrasse to let them fight it out? Keep them divided? Anyway, I'm upgrading to 120g in 2 months or so, but I would rather sell him if I have to when he's easier to catch in the little tank. Thanks and sorry for the wall of text!

 

[29reef]

Any photos? How similar in size are they? It's very possible and likely that you've got two males now.

 

[JaneG]

Any photos? How similar in size are they? It's very possible and likely that you've got two males now.

I don't have any pictures, but I can say with confidence that they have not changed in appearance other than that the female doesn't get swollen around her vent at spawning time anymore. As far as appearance differences - the male's stripes are more like orange on pink while the female has striped that are orange with a reddish outline on pink. She also has black freckles on the area around her dorsal fin. I have done a lot of research on sexing these guys and from what I can tell, the "blue gill" difference I'm reading up on isn't true at all. I have an old video of them spawning here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcnfR0HErKI

They're about the same size - she might be a little smaller though. What would you suggest if she has turned male? Let them fight it out and see if she reverts? Return one? I just wouldn't want him to kill her or anything. Thanks