My own research has determined the the wrasse on the cover of the DFS catalog is a Feminus Wrasse....incredibly beautiful fish. Definitely on my wish list!
I have a 6" maxima and a 3" crocea that it has never bothered. As stated above, it is a myth, IMO, because they do prey on the pyramidellid(SP?) snails that are harmful to clams, so they more protect them than harm them. It does look like they may be harming tham as they pick at the shells, but mine have shown no ill effects.Bringing back on old one. Does anybody know if they bother clams? I have a 4" blue Maxima.
The LA photo shows a juvenile. That's just what mine looked like when I bought it. Now its lost the spots and its fully colored, looks just like the other photos. They are reef safe and mine has been just fine in a BB tank for over two years. Great fish, always on the move.
True, juvenile or female, it is the males that get the great coloring, here is a couple pics of mine.