Flame Wrasse advice needed

[Spar]

I had a trio of Flame Wrasses, 1 male and 2 female. One of the females turned to a male and then killed the original male and chased the other female out of my tank (jumped out and died)... so I am left with 1 now-Male wrasse.

I want to get new Flame Wrasses. Since I already know the remaining one is a jerk, should I sell him and just start over with a new trio/quad/etc of Flame Wrasses instead of introducing new females with him?

I like him other than him being a jerk...

 

[evolved]

IME, you'd be wasting your time to try again with more females or a new trio. The species is quite notorious for always transitioning in closed systems; established male or not. You'll end up with all males again.

Also, it sounds as though the tank isn't covered. I would address that ASAP, as all wrasses will jump eventually.

 

[m0nkie]

wrasse tank requires a cover!

i also heard from a many flame wrasse owners that their trio turned to multiple males.

I would just leave him alone and hope he turns supermale soon. that or add a tiny female and hope for the best

 

[Spar]

thanks both, i may just stick with the one from here-on. too bad they can't just refrain from changing into the dominate gender

I do have covers over the whole top... there was a flaw in how I designed it that on one side the top raised up slightly (about 1"), meaning that if a fish got really unlucky jumping at the perfect spot at the perfect angle, they would jump out. For 4 years now I have had no fish do that.... yet in one day I had 2 the flame wrasse and a yellow coris wrasse...... felt awful, but I have now fixed the problem so shouldnt happen again (worst way to learn!)

 

[Spar]

now, could I keep adding females and just sell them off each time one turns? slight profit for a fun fish...

i guess this goes back to my question of will the new male accept new females? he did like chasing my other female quite a bit, but never bit her like he did to the original male...

 

[evolved]

could I keep adding females and just sell them off each time one turns?

Sounds like more work than it's worth.

Why such a desire to keep females?

If you just want flashing, you can add other male Cirrhilabrus of a different species and get the same behavior.

 

[nuxx]

Yeap will keep happening.

We have a Super Male Flame and female Flame. Just hoping the female stays female as long as possible.

 

[snorvich]

IME, you'd be wasting your time to try again with more females or a new trio. The species is quite notorious for always transitioning in closed systems; established male or not. You'll end up with all males again.

Exactly. I have tried three females of different sizes, a male plus female and the results were always the same.

 

[nikon187]

+6... stick with the lone male.

 

[Blueline12]

I started with 5 and now I am down to two a pair. Just like everyone says the dominate male will eventually kill most or all of the rest off.

 

[Spar]

Well bugger... why cant they all just get along

To confirm, i can put males of other species in there and be ok?

How long does it typically take for the converted male to look like a super male?

 

[nikon187]

Coupld be weeks, years or never. All depends on the heirachy the wrasses establish.