Halichoeres... show some love

[Luiz Rocha]

Thank you very much Luiz. One more question now, how can I make the difference between the male and female Ornatissimus ?
I looked on the net. and didn't found the answer.
Thank
David

Halichoeres in this group, which includes ornatissimus, claudia, cosmetus, biocellatus, and a few others, don't change color much between sexes. Females are usually smaller and have a larger dark spot along the dorsal, males are larger and have a much smaller dark spot (sometimes they completely lose it).

 

[langtudatinh01]

those melanurus are beautiful. i have a yellow wrasse, a ornate leopard, yellowtail damsel, 2 ocellaris clowns. Could i add a melanurus? tank is small at 40 breeder with 20 sump. i want a bigger tank.

 

[small alien]

I think you know the answer to that. Get your bigger tank first. Like, tomorrow morning.

 

[langtudatinh01]

haha, small alien. i wish i could. there is nothing up here on stock and for a 180 gallons stocked tank from Aqueon will cost me easily a limb (about 1000 bucks, just the tank no stand or hood). i have to plan my dream tank for years to come..................... have been planning for 2 years and keep on planning.

 

[h0bite]

Hey Luiz, a question again. The melanurus wrasse is in Halichoeres kind or Platyglossus.
Thank
David

 

[Luiz Rocha]

Hey Luiz, a question again. The melanurus wrasse is in Halichoeres kind or Platyglossus.
Thank
David

Ah... Good question, the taxonomy of this entire group is a big mess. Some genetic work suggests that Halichoeres should be split into several smaller genera, and Platyglossus is one of them. The problem is that there is no morphological diagnosis for those "new" genera, and the genetics work that suggested splitting did not include about 40% of all Halichoeres out there, so the question is far from resolved.

The fact of not having all Halichoeres in the genetic tree of relationships have many consequences. First, relationships may change if you add more species to the tree. Second, there are several other genus names available out there, so let's say we start calling this particular species Platyglossus, but as we add more species to the tree we find one with an older genus name that fits in this branch, and then we have to change the name again (in taxonomy we always have to use the oldest name). So, because of this, my suggestion is that we keep using Halichoeres until we have a more complete combined (genetics and morphology) analysis. And that is what is reflected in the Catalog of Fishes, the one source for fish naming issues:

http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/Ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp

You can search for any species in the link above, and look for "Current Status", that should tell you what the valid name is.

Hope I wasn't too technical, but let me know if you have more questions.

 

[small alien]

Far from it, Luiz, it's fascinating. We are very lucky to have you as a part of our discussions on RC. Thanks! :love1:

 

[h0bite]

Thanks you very much Luiz. That is clear now (more clear). I will tell you if I got other question. Have a nice day.
I ask you questions about wrasse, I really like this kind of fish. My friend got a 550 gallons, and almost all hes fish are wrasses. And that really beautiful, these fish are always moving and searching for some meat. And there color are awesome.
Thank
David
And sorry about my english. I am from french part of Canada

 

[Korrine]

I have a big melanarus, have had him for a year and change, definitely my favorite fish in the tank. Tons of color, lots of personality. Always hungry! So hungry that he likes to eat my cleanup crew, my peppermint shrimp, heck, even my sand sifter starfish is missing two arms!! poor guy!

But the wrasse is worth it. I am considering getting another. I am going to do some research on them. Is it possible to buy another small H. Melanarus and end up with a pair? Do they exhibit any interesting behavior as a pair or am I better off just going for variety and getting a different type of Halichoeres?

Yes I'm sure you could a couple small ones. There is an article on these Reefkeeping magazine. Google and it should come right up. Search: Melanurus Reefkeeping magazine

You could probably add one more species depending on tank size and tank mates.

 

[Korrine]

Don't remember if I posted before. Here was my girl! When I tore down my tank I sold her to a friend. He had a 125g tank....what'd you know. She was torn apart by his 6 line...in a 125! Crazy 6line!

And in QT.

 

[ataller]

How much pressure do these guys put on the pod populations that mandarins feed on?

A full sized Vrolik's for example would be much larger than my male mandarin. It doesn't seem like they would be eating the same size pod.

Thoughts, before I buy one and start my Mandarin?

Adam

 

[MCCOOL]

A halichoeres wrasse will definitely put a strain on the pod population, I wouldn't keep the two together unless the tank is big and has a big, productive refuge. It'll also help if the mandarin eats prepared food.

 

[ataller]

Tank is 120, and I have a 60G fuge in the basement and a 75G sump.

Madarins (M+F) are very fat, wouldn't want them any other way. Looks like no Vrolik's for me.

Thanks,

Adam

 

[lcs]

Here's my new H. melanurus. He's just starting to get the blue triangles on his back. QT pics, going into the DT this weekend!! The clown too!

He's actually the second one I brought home. When I purchased the first one, when I got him in QT I noticed a wound just in front of his pelvic fin , so I took him back and exchanged him for the one I currently have. My LFS actually had four of them at the time! What a little piggy, too; he'll eat whatever I put in the tank. I do have some flatworms which I'm glad he'll take care of, but I'm pretty sure he'll also do away with all the teeny, tiny snails I have all over the DT. Oh well, it's all a trade off.

I actually caught him getting out of bed this morning. Just his tail was still in the sand. I've been wanting to catch him going to bed, but he's usually in the sand before 6:00pm, the lazy bum!

 

[skibum9884]

You'll see that as time passes he'll adjust to your timing a bit better. I think since they sleep in the sand it takes them longer to adjust. This is what has happened with mine.

Just think of it as super-bad jetlag!

 

[sTefaniA]

chrysus male close up

 

[small alien]

Outstanding! I can't wait until my little guy colors up like that!

 

[lcs]

chrysus male close up

Beautiful shot and fish!!

 

[iamwrasseman]

yes thats a cool one there !

 

[DeniseAndy]

I got my new little guy on Sunday and put him in QT. I noticed a raised area on him and began treating with Maracyn II. Does anyone have any experience with this type of treatment for this type of condition. Could not find much info on what I am seeing, but my last mel hid for three days and I found dead. He had a similar patch on him. However the first was much older than this juvi.

thanks.