Flame Wrasse sex change time period?

[iClown]

How long does it take a female Hawaiian Flame Wrasse to fully change into a Terminal Male if two were purchased?

 

[Ambition]

It's really going to depend on how long it takes for the two to work out the dominance situation. Under certain conditions I have heard of a female going male in as little as two weeks. Keep in mind there are going to be a good number of variables in any situation that will impact timing.

I had two female pylei fairy wrasses together for a few months, neither changed male in that time. One was under the transition after a couple months.

 

[evolved]

A few days to many months.

There is no set answer to this question; it is highly environmental.

 

[iClown]

So if I purchased one only then it should change pretty quick since there is no other flame wrasses around? If yes, then purchase another female after the first turns into a terminal?

 

[evolved]

So if I purchased one only then it should change pretty quick since there is no other flame wrasses around?

No; that would certainly make the event longer.

 

[Baldguy]

As I understand it if you get two females you run the risk of both changing. So what to do? One female or two?

 

[evolved]

Indeed. And personally, I'll never bother with multiple C. jordani ever again.

 

[iClown]

Indeed. And personally, I'll never bother with multiple C. jordani ever again.

Why??????

 

[evolved]

Because they've always all turned male on me.

One flame or no flame for me.

 

[NyReefNoob]

ive tried it so many times and two females always end up being two males with flames wrasse's, easiest way ive found to get a female to change is to have a male in the tank, doesnt have to be of the same species either

 

[lhm nole]

I have had 4 flames wrasses in my 300 reef and one turned male and the other 3 have stayed female its been 7 months since I purchased them

 

[SDguy]

I have had 4 flames wrasses in my 300 reef and one turned male and the other 3 have stayed female its been 7 months since I purchased them

Just wait....

 

[iClown]

Ok, so if I was to purchase one female and let her convert to a super male will he "still" display nuptial colors with hime being the only flame wrasse in the tank? Or does there need to be atleast two flame wrasses in the same tank for nuptial displays to occur?

 

[evolved]

Ok, so if I was to purchase one female and let her convert to a super male will he "still" display nuptial colors with hime being the only flame wrasse in the tank? Or does there need to be atleast two flame wrasses in the same tank for nuptial displays to occur?

With enough males of different species in the tank, you can get nuptial colors, but YMMV. Not all of mine will do it; around half of them will however.

FWIW, the nuptial flame isn't starkly different than terminal male coloration (which is not true for all Cirrhilabrus species). Also note, when they get into nuptial mode, it rarely lasts longer than an hour.

 

[bonomo53]

I've had a female flame with a female hooded in my tank for around 3 months now and the flame is just starting to change.