Carpenter flasher wrasses

[crazymnkeyman77]

I have a new 220 gallon tank. It currently has one black ice clownfish. I wanted to add 3 carpenter flasher wrasses to the tank because I think its really interesting to watch the males show their vibrant colors. I was planning on getting 1 male and 2 females, however when would be a good time to add them to my tank? My tank parameters are all in check, I just wanted to know if they should be my next additions, or wait until the tank is established.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Don't get a harem. Females are difficult to correctly id and frequently are already beginning to transition into males, or soon will be. Males of the same species are quite intolerant of one another. You would be better off getting 3 seperate species of flasher, and the males will still flash and display, but won't be quite as aggressive as they would if they are all the same species.

Flashers can be early additions to a tank, as they aren't as reliant on established microfauna like Macropharyngodon, Pseudojuloides, and Anampses wrasses are.

 

[jar41]

How long does it take to transition into male? How can i say it's already a male?

 

[eatbreakfast]

It can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months.

Females have opaque fins. So once they begin to develop color and pattern they have begun their transition. Also, on species with dorsal filaments, once they start to develop, even a little bit, they are already male.

 

[crazymnkeyman77]

If i were to just get on flasher then, when would i add it to my tank?

 

[eatbreakfast]

They are pretty peaceful, so are well suited to be introduced early in the stocking order.

 

[crazymnkeyman77]

I will do that then, but do they require the best water conditions, I guess what im asking is that do flasher wrasse's require established tanks where the water is in pristine condition.

 

[eatbreakfast]

As long as the tank is fully cycled it will be fine.

 

[crazymnkeyman77]

ok thanks!