Melanurus wrasse (Hoeven's) question

[flfireman1]

I recently purchased this guy and was told it was a male Hoevens wrasse.

Its an extremely non-aggressive fish and very peaceful, although he is an aggressive eater.

I was then given this smaller wrasse and was told it was a female Hoevens wrasse.

The two fish couldnt act more differently the supposed smaller female is a terror with all the other wrasses (leopard wrasses) and also terrorizes the male to the point where she had to go in time out.
She is now sitting in an acclimation box by herself.

My question is are these the same species and do they look male and female? Other than the size difference and the male being more blue and the female being more greenish I dont see much difference in the two. Not finding much info online also.

Thanks

 

[mikid]

wrasse.......

wrasse.......

i do also have a male mel wrasse....he has vertical lines from the dorsel down like your first picture which is a male....and the other does look like a female....

 

[yeldarbj]

I think you might have 2 males. The females don't show nearly the amount of blue coloration that both of yours have. I'm no expert, but I do have a male and a female. The male is much more colorful. The female won't allow any other wrasses in the tank, and didn't even care for the male, but she got over that pretty quick. The male seems more docile.

 

[flfireman1]

I think you might have 2 males. The females don't show nearly the amount of blue coloration that both of yours have. I'm no expert, but I do have a male and a female. The male is much more colorful. The female won't allow any other wrasses in the tank, and didn't even care for the male, but she got over that pretty quick. The male seems more docile.

Can you post a pic of your pair? I would love to see the two and what they look like. You describe mine pretty acurately, the male is very docile and doesnt bother anyone, the suppossed female is a terror to all other wrasses in the aquarium.

 

[bhsgk]

they are both male. with most wrasse the male will be larger and more flamboyant/colorful. here is a link to LA that shows the difference between the male and female/juvenile. (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1379+2285&pcatid=2285)

IMO the last pic that you posted is a terminal phase male due to the intensity of his colors and the deepness of the black spots. the pics of the fish in the acclimation are a sub-adult/teenager transitioning to male and will more then likely revert to female coloration if the terminal male doesn't harass the sub-adult to death.

 

[nonimmigrant]

I had two males as well - one keeping the other in the sand all day. I separated them and now we're fine.

 

[flfireman1]

IMO the last pic that you posted is a terminal phase male due to the intensity of his colors and the deepness of the black spots. the pics of the fish in the acclimation are a sub-adult/teenager transitioning to male and will more then likely revert to female coloration if the terminal male doesn't harass the sub-adult to death.

I think your right, I ended up putting the smaller more aggressive fish in the acclimation box and letting the larger more docile fish free. In the last couple of days the larger wrasses coloration seems to be getting duller and the eye spots fading. This fish seems to hang out all day near the acclimation box where the smaller male is located. Even though the smaller male would keep him in the sand due to the constant harrasement. Now that the smaller wrasse is in the acclimation box the larger wrasse is out all day.
I may end up giving one of the two up if they can't coexist with one another.

 

[el aguila]

Your smaller one is well on the way to changing to a male.

I had a male and added a smaller juvenile hoping that it would stay female. Unfortunately it had started to change. For a few months they hung out together. Then all of a sudden all hell broke loose for a day or two. Then the smaller went MIA.

 

[yeldarbj]

Can you post a pic of your pair? I would love to see the two and what they look like. You describe mine pretty acurately, the male is very docile and doesnt bother anyone, the suppossed female is a terror to all other wrasses in the aquarium.

Sorry for the delay. I finally took some pictures and uploaded them.

First the male:

And the female:

 

[flfireman1]

Wow, very nice fish.