Female Labouti Fairy Wrasse Question

[sc50964]

Seeking answers from Wrasse experts and owners. Are female LaBoutis capable of turning into males? My research says no but need confirmation. LA says that their colors are similar to the males. Do you agree? Got pictures for good comparison? Pls help. Thanks.

 

[eatbreakfast]

All female wrasses are capable of turning into males, and female fairy wrasses readily do so.

Their pattern and coloring are similar to males. Males colors are more intense and pattern is a bit more intricate.

 

[sc50964]

Female Labouti Fairy Wrasse Question

In my 180 gallon, I already have an established exquisite and a mystery wrasse. Both are about 3". Will it be okay to add a 3-4" female Labouti? I already lost a 2" yellowfin flasher wrasse since the two picked on it.

 

[evolved]

All female wrasses are capable of turning into males, and female fairy wrasses readily do so.

Their pattern and coloring are similar to males. Males colors are more intense and pattern is a bit more intricate.

All Cirrhilabrus species are born female; all males were once female.

Additionally, the male C. laboutei has the presence of a yellow stripe just above the white of the belly. But it's typically a subtle difference between male/female with this particular species.

 

[evolved]

In my 180 gallon, I already have an established exquisite and a mystery wrasse. Both are about 3". Will it be okay to add a 3-4" female Labouti? I already lost a 2" yellowfin flasher wrasse since the two picked on it.

As the mystery is of the Pseudocheilinus genus, this could be problem. Wrasses of the Pseudocheilinus genus do not mix well with other wrasses.

 

[sc50964]

Thanks for sharing with me. So it sounds like one single female will eventually turn into male, unlike anthias that need more than one female to change gender. If I'm off base, Pls let me know.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Anthias will also change without others present. It may take longer as they are suited for life with others of their own kind, but changing sex has to do with how much they are being kept female by displays and chasing by males. If they are not being "harassed" enough they will turn male.

 

[sc50964]

Anthias will also change without others present. It may take longer as they are suited for life with others of their own kind, but changing sex has to do with how much they are being kept female by displays and chasing by males. If they are not being "harassed" enough they will turn male.

I see your point. I see my male anthias and male fairy wrasse flashing or showing off in front of the females, and I often thought those quick moves they made were kind of aggressive. I guess what you're saying is those acts put the gender changing in submission. Without it, the female will turn into male naturally. Right?

 

[eatbreakfast]

I see your point. I see my male anthias and male fairy wrasse flashing or showing off in front of the females, and I often thought those quick moves they made were kind of aggressive. I guess what you're saying is those acts put the gender changing in submission. Without it, the female will turn into male naturally. Right?

Correct

 

[sc50964]

Thanks, eatbreakfast

 

[cmaxwell39]

Here is a picture of my male Labouti displaying for the female/young male that I have. This particular male came in as a female as part of a trio and when the male of the trio died it changed. All happened within the normal 6 week QT time for me.

Let me see if I can find a picture of the other Labouti in my system.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Here is a pic of the other Labouti in my tank. This picture is 6 months old or so and the wrasse has taken on some more male characteristics, but still remains submissive to the big male in the picture in the previous post.

I should mention that I have a very hard time trying to capture the colors/beauty of this particular species of fairy wrasse in pictures, so while they may appear somewhat dull in the pictures I can assure you that they are an extremely colorful fairy wrasse.

 

[aquaph8]

My labouti I previously had was quite bold and didnt take long at all to become male and take over as king of the wrasses.

 

[RadReefer]

I currently havea labouti on hold at the LFS and was wondering about this very topic myself. There are two of them there that are approximately the same size, they look to be female. If I purchased both would they coexist peacefully and eventually pair up or will there be warfare in my aquarium. Sorry for hijacking a little but I think it fits the topic.

 

[cmaxwell39]

They would be fine together. Just realize that at least one of them will transition to male in fairly short order. There is a chance they may both eventually become males, and then you might have problems, but until then you should be good.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Most times when getting a pair of fairy wrasses both will become male. This occurs because even though they may have the outward appearance of being female they may already have begun the transition to male.

If you have more than 1 species of fairy wrasse the males will keep the intensity of colors even if not keptw with females of their own species.