McCoskers Wrasse

[jon1985]

I picked up a male McCoskers wrasse last night and he was eating along with everyone else last night when I fed them.

My question, my fish guy said he rarly has the option to buy female McCoskers, are they available? Are they hard to find?

Any special info I should know or are they pretty standard wrasse care?

Thanks

 

[EllieSuz]

I was lucky and my local LFS found me a couple of juveniles. One of them didn't make it through quarantine, but the remaining one has been in the display tank for a couple of months now. Occasionally I see a trio for sale at Live Aquaria. You can put yourself on a list to be notified if they get juveniles in stock. The males seem to lose their brilliant color in the absence of a female, but get it back once there's a girl in the tank.

They don't need any special care. Mine eat everything I throw in there. The female eats Nori too, but I haven't noticed the male trying it. They are amazing jumpers and I've seen the male jump without any provocation other than the fact that it's feeding time. I keep a 1/4" mesh cover on at all times.

Good luck finding a juvie; just takes some patience.

 

[jon1985]

I assume males dont do well together?

 

[EllieSuz]

I hope one of the Wrasse experts will tune in for the answer to this one. I'm not sure whether males can co-exist or not. However, one thing I didn't mention in my first response to your question was a quarantine issue. If you have a couple of juveniles in quarantine for six to eight weeks, the chance of one turning male are great. You are almost better off buying a trio that includes a male to keep the two remaining juveniles female. I realize this leaves you with two males, but you can probably sell one to a fellow reefer. Once a fish begins the transition to male, it can't revert to female. When you have a male flashing, the show is well worth the effort to acquire a group.

 

[jon1985]

Yea thats why Im trying to find some females...

 

[rssjsb]

Bluezoo has females occasionally, and LA sometimes has small juvies that, I assume, start as female.

 

[ataller]

Have a search here on the forums. I believe there was a thread recently with some evidence that mccoskers in particular behaved well in the presence of multiple males.

 

[jon1985]

I found a few threads that said males seem to be ok together. Anyone with experience? do they retain their colours as if females where present?

 

[LukFox]

I had a female turn male in the presence of another male for some reason and they had to be separated. The damage included ruffled and missing scales, split fins, and stress from chasing.

 

[jon1985]

hmmm, maybe I better try and find some females. Any good canadian sellers out there? Never ordered anything live online before.

 

[flameangel88]

Thinking of adding 3-4 small McCoskers to a 120g reef that already housed a pair of rhomboids. What do you think? How aggressive are the McCoskers? Appreciate any inputs!

 

[bradleyj]

I have 3 mcKoskers and an Attenatus flashers and they do fine together in my 225g.
I have quite a few wrasses together including 3 rhomboids.

 

[flameangel88]

Bradley,

Thanks. If I remember right you have 3 male right? I only see males around now so went ahead and ordered 4. Was going to get a male rhomboid too but the female pair is doing so well together and decided not to mess around. When I get a pair of Lineatus that should complete for this 120g tank.

Kevin

 

[bradleyj]

You are right Kevin, all are males and all are different sizes. from one inch to 3 inches (attenatus).
The three mckoskers hang together and the attenatus flashes them. LOL