different behavior between the sexes? (fish)

[tcoral]

I got a pair of candy pencil wrasses and the behavior between the male and female are like night and day. The male hid and I thought I lost him and was going to ask the store to get a replacement until I saw him coming out after lights out at dusk. The female on the other hand is out swimming in the pack all the time, is within the melee at feeding time, and will come to the front to watch me and beg (not shy at all!). The male I have to search for since he's in the rocks and will come out briefly in the late afternoon. Has anybody heard of such a difference in behavior? I acquired them a day apart since they were in different tanks and the sexes look so different from each other. I didn't realize they were a pair until I looked them up on line and asked the LFS (and they confirmed that she was the female, could have told me sooner when I bought the male).

So, will the male relax and be as outgoing, or is there something else going on?

 

[snorvich]

Female fairy wrasses are normally more aggressive than males. By the way, pencil wrasses are prolific jumpers.

 

[tcoral]

Female fairy wrasses are normally more aggressive than males. By the way, pencil wrasses are prolific jumpers.

Top covered, though I'm going to make an even better cover. Wow, she's right out there with the other fish from the get go she reminds me of a chihuahua that thinks it's a doberman . I don't think she's hidden once. The male's a super male, I wish he'd show himself more.

 

[reefjunkie42]

it isnt a fairy is it?

 

[BeanMachine]

Female fairy wrasses are normally more aggressive than males. By the way, pencil wrasses are prolific jumpers.

Why is that you think... due to the females wanting to change sex and become the dominant male?

 

[tcoral]

it isnt a fairy is it?

No definitely a pencil. They had them labeled as a multicolor wrasse, but looking online they look exactly like candy pencils.