Is this a male or female McCosker Wrasse?

[Reefing Newbie]

I think you will be fine if they aren't both the same species. The males will "flash" each other and try to show who's boss but I don't think it will be deadly. If they are both females then you may end up with both staying female with the mccosckers flasher being the dominant male. They probably can hybridize if you could breed them in captivity so it may work out to be that way. Not sure though.

 

[29reef]

From what I can see they are sub males, they are beyond the juvenile/female stage but haven't turned into terminal males. As long as your other sub male isn't picking on them they should all get along just fine.

I think part of the difficulty in buying females/juveniles is many species look almost identical. Classification and ID is somewhat of a requirement when importing fish, so ordering a female ______ wrasse can be very difficult because it's hard to be 100% sure a lot of the time.

 

[Arkayology]

Thanks for the all the imput everyone. I will post later on as to how I do with this mistake. I anticipate it will be similar to reefing_newbies's post.

 

[OrionN]

Thanks for the all the imput everyone. I will post later on as to how I do with this mistake. I anticipate it will be similar to reefing_newbies's post.

So Matt,
What ever happen to the combination of McCosker and Carpenter wrasses in your tank in this thread? I think the picture you posted was of a traditional Carpenter Wrasse.

 

[Arkayology]

So Matt,
What ever happen to the combination of McCosker and Carpenter wrasses in your tank in this thread? I think the picture you posted was of a traditional Carpenter Wrasse.

Honestly, I can't remember anymore lol. I think that the McCosker ended up finding a small hole somewhere in my mesh lid and jumped after awhile.

 

[OrionN]

Thanks Matt.
I got a tiny McCosker last week. He is only slightly longer than 1 inch, but already clearly changed to male. I did not know that they change that early, but apparently they can. Here are pictures of him

 

[Arkayology]

This pic looks correct for a McCosker's. I think what I had were some Carpenter Wrasses. That's a good looking wrasse.

Thanks Matt.
I got a tiny McCosker last week. He is only slightly longer than 1 inch, but already clearly changed to male. I did not know that they change that early, but apparently they can. Here are pictures of him