Flame wrasse, Female to male??

[Bernie21]

How long does it take a female flame wrasse to turn to a male? My lfs has several females, some small & a few large ones. Does it happen faster if I get one or two females? Also, do they obtain thee same coloration as a wild caught adult male? Sorry for all the questions, but I dont have much experience w fairy wrasses. Thanks

 

[reefjunkie42]

go with 1 smaller and 1 larger. 1 will change. prolly both. so be prepared for it. nothing you can do to stop it. id personally get the smallest and largest. then the larger 1 has a better chance of displaying dominance over the other.color will be the same. until they go into nuptial male stange

 

[Bernie21]

They only have a small one now. Im still going to get it. Does any one know how long before she turns male?

 

[ginger7286]

She may not.

I have a female Hooded Wrasse, she's beautiful (see my avatar) but I doubt she will change to male because I don't have any fish to be dominate her. I'd love to get a male but they are pretty distinctive looking. I got her at my LFS for $26.00 because they didn't know what they had. I know the male is easily ID'ed so I'll have to pay more.

The wrasse are addicting so be prepared, you'll want more!

 

[albano]

I have a female Hooded Wrasse, she's beautiful (see my avatar)

Hard to tell from that pic, but my F hooded is much 'redder' ...but it's from Vanuatu.

 

[Bernie21]

I really like wrasses, but Im close to capacity so I dont see an obsession w the, starting unless I upgrade. I really hope that a female flame wrasse does develop into a male because they do leave alot to be desired compared to the males.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

If alone the female should go male because it will be the dominant fish. Just like clownfish, when there is only one clownfish alone long enough it will turn female. Wrasses are the opposite of course.

 

[Bernie21]

Do they reach full coloration in a our tanks?

 

[snorvich]

Under the proper circumstances a female flame can change to a male with 2 and a half weeks. Full coloration takes longer and there must be multiple females for a harem.

 

[reefjunkie42]

bottom line is it will change. its just a matter of when. As for the hooded guy...i had a pair...now have 2 males that fight to the death, until 1 was removed. FWIW the male from the ocean isnt as nice as the one that became a male in captivity. also al lot of fish look like female hoodeds.. Lunate, condi,johnsoni, area few that come to mind immediatly.

 

[albano]

As for the hooded guy...i had a pair...now have 2 males that fight to the death, until 1 was removed.

I have had 3 hoodeds from Vanuatu for about a year...2 males (the 2 different types) and 1 female...they get along fine with each other and all other wrasses
pics from LA and Blue Zoo

 

[frankyrivera]

I've had a flame for close to a year now started as female still a female