Female flasher & fairy wrasses turning to males

[Big E]

I occasionally come across females and they are usually way less expensive than the males, which is no surprise to anyone.

I'm well aware of the harem hierarchy within a species, but wondering if this can extend to various species.

Has anyone tried to buy 4-5 females of different species and see how many turn male? There should still be some sort of dominance competition.

I won't have any control over which turn male but I think this may be a viable option.

 

[eatbreakfast]

In my experiences keeping multiple females of multiple species leads to nearly all of them transitioning to male. There can be exceptions but usually the case, that being said is males of different species generally coexist well and display to one another.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Even when kept alone, females end up turning male eventually. A transition can start within 2-3 months depending on age, size and feeding schedule.

 

[evolved]

In my experiences keeping multiple females of multiple species leads to nearly all of them transitioning to male. There can be exceptions but usually the case, that being said is males of different species generally coexist well and display to one another.

Completely agree.

I'd wager $20 at least 4 would transition, but would expect it to be all 5.

Personally, I love when I have the opportunity to buy one I desire as a juvi; you get to watch them grow, transition, and enjoy them for a bigger portion of their life span.

 

[snorvich]

In my experiences keeping multiple females of multiple species leads to nearly all of them transitioning to male. There can be exceptions but usually the case, that being said is males of different species generally coexist well and display to one another.

I agree generally. I have kept a harem of flames where the females were of different sizes and that worked for a couple of years. But, eventually . . .

 

[aquaph8]

It always amazes me when that little tiny female wrasse grows up to dominate what was a lot larger male.

 

[Big E]

That's great to hear............I don't mind waiting.

Again just to be clear...as an example, if I buy females one each of--

Hooded
lineatus
flame
exquisite

They will all eventually turn to male?

 

[albano]

Again just to be clear...as an example, if I buy females one each of--

Hooded
lineatus
flame
exquisite

They will all eventually turn to male?

Yes...personally, I always try to get juvi/females...
IME, the most expensive 'super males' don't seem to last that long, in a tank full of other wrasses

 

[evolved]

It always amazes me when that little tiny female wrasse grows up to dominate what was a lot larger male.

Ditto. And always more colorful too.

That's great to hear............I don't mind waiting.

Again just to be clear...as an example, if I buy females one each of--

Hooded
lineatus
flame
exquisite

They will all eventually turn to male?

Eventually, yes.

 

[Big E]

Thanks again everyone...........not sure why more people aren't doing this?

The life span of these super males was also a hang up for me.

 

[Fragman4]

Thanks again everyone...........not sure why more people aren't doing this?

The life span of these super males was also a hang up for me.

Some people dont want to wait for the transition so they go and grab the males right away. Its all about patience!

 

[Marshall O]

Thanks again everyone...........not sure why more people aren't doing this?

The life span of these super males was also a hang up for me.

Its what I prefer to do. Only 3 of my 14 Wrasses were bought as terminal males. The rest females/juveniles.

Right now I currently have a C. earlie, C. cf lanceolatus, P. bellae, H. iridis & H. melanurus in some stage of transitioning

 

[d-man]

Only my flames haven't transitioned.
My rosy scales and labouti were my only terminal male purchased. All my others were sub adults or females.
8 line flashers
C.cf lancelatous
Lineatus
Balteatus
Rosefascia
Solorensis
Orange back