Is this a male or female McCosker Wrasse?

[Arkayology]

Two of these came to me today. I am not sure if they are female, as that is what I asked for. Their colors are not as vibrant as what pictures of male McCoskers on the net. Is it male or female? It does have some filaments on the top. This makes a total of three McCoskers wrasses in my tank.

 

[snorvich]

Female.

 

[reefjunkie42]

how can you tell male or female ? it has 1 spike so dosent that make it a male or atleast sub male? looks more developed than a female. but with flashers its hard to sex the juvis anyway.

 

[Arkayology]

Female.

Great. Is it the coloration that gives it away? I was told that if there were filaments it was male. Here is another pic with the filaments.

 

[btsd]

Nice fish !!

 

[Arkayology]

Nice fish !!

Thanks. Both of them seem to be doing well. I hope there is minimal aggression with my first McCoskers. One of them should become the male sooner or later, I think?

 

[Arkayology]

double post

 

[Reefing Newbie]

Usually you want to add females before males with flasher wrasses and anthias. Well the same time works too. Hope it is female because it would be a great find if they are. Not to steal this thread from you but I heard flasher wrasses can go back to being female. Is this true?

 

[Arkayology]

Usually you want to add females before males with flasher wrasses and anthias. Well the same time works too. Hope it is female because it would be a great find if they are. Not to steal this thread from you but I heard flasher wrasses can go back to being female. Is this true?

I added the first and then realized it would be cool to have a trio. In a perfect world I would have done it the way you suggested.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

You could always remove him to an acclimation box if need be.

 

[Arkayology]

You could always remove him to an acclimation box if need be.

To be honest, I don't think any of them are males. The coloration is not right. They have long top fins, but the color is all wrong. We will see what happens.

 

[reefjunkie42]

i think there young males. and I believe there was a thread a while back on the topic of wrasses being able to change back once male, and I think everyone said they cant change back once male.

 

[Arkayology]

So we have a vote for female and a vote for male.

 

[reefjunkie42]

i just looked at rudie kruiters book...no female specimen shown...but it looks likea young male. JU2C

 

[rssjsb]

Does that fish have more than one filament?

 

[Arkayology]

Does that fish have more than one filament?

I believe it does, which would make it not a McCoskers right? Maybe what I received are Carpenter wrasses?

 

[rssjsb]

That's what I was thinking.

 

[Arkayology]

If they are, the fish have to be female as they are a good 3'' long, huge, and do not have any of the coloration of a male, even with the filaments.

 

[capt85]

I would agree on carpenters wrasse. I ordered a mccorskers and received a carpenter as well. They are VERY similar as juvi's.

 

[Arkayology]

Did yours looks like mine capt85? I'm not sure what to do about this. I may remove them or I may keep them and see what happens. One of the two carpenters will eventually become male, making two male flasher wrasse in the tank. Not sure if this is a good idea as the tank is only 60gal.