Multiple male flame wrasse compatibility

[Big E]

No. Actually the best scenario is to buy a group of three of more females.

Makes sense to buy females, but if one can obtain a quality pair what's the issue? Or if a male is already established adding a female seems quite easy. Males are a lot easier to find.

 

[snorvich]

Peter, neither of those is a supermale.

 

[SDguy]

I never said any were

Does that make a difference in what is going on?

Some pics of the original male:

 

[snorvich]

In a way, it does. Because both of the males are stage one, one of them should progress to supermale rather quickly. I would "guess" it would be the one that progressed from female. If the original male is strong enough, it should remain fixed while the other progresses.

 

[SDguy]

Ah, interesting. Well, I'll keep you posted as things progress. How would I ID a terminal male?

BTW, what's with the light "patch" towards the back of the belly, just before the anus? It's on both males, matching on both their right and left flanks. Is it normal? I don't recall seeing it in pictures before.

 

[snorvich]

All coloration seems normal. Keep us posted. I suspect the final scenario will occur within a month.

 

[SDguy]

OK, some major developments.

1. I came home from work, and was staring at various corals in my tank (shocker ) when I looked up to see the big male flame and one of the females swimming near the surface, side by side, each somewhat angled so their bellies were touching. The female's anus area looked weirdly distended/protruding. Then the male started flashing. Holy cow, all these horizontal stripes appeared. It was amazing. But no gametes were released, and the females anus area was back to normal. This all happened in the space of a couple minutes.

Later that night, I was doing some redecorating in the tank, as well as blowing detritus off all the rocks with a powerhead, so the fish were kind of feaked out for a little bit.

2. Now the bad news. Once I was done everything, I see the new male flame chasing the larger original one relentlessly. Ugh, the trap goes in the tank today

 

[Dejavu]

Good luck catching him. ON the bright side you can turn around and sell the male and get a few new females .

 

[snorvich]

OK, some major developments.



2. Now the bad news. Once I was done everything, I see the new male flame chasing the larger original one relentlessly. Ugh, the trap goes in the tank today

Sort of as predicted, unfortunately. The old male is perceived to be weak by the new male who has evolved.

 

[SDguy]

Update again

Big male chases small male on occasion. Perhaps the original chasing was a result of the "chaos" going on in the tank that night?

 

[snorvich]

Well, the best outcome is statis where each hate each other but tolerate.

 

[bradleyj]

Well, the best outcome is statis where each hate each other but tolerate.

I know of some couples like that. LOL I wondered what they called it.

Good luck with them Peter.

 

[snorvich]

Yes, unfortunately I also know some couples like that. Whatever you call it is not good. Works better for fish.

 

[euod]

Flame wrasses relationship is a soap box. Started w/ a harem of five and went to 2 females. Decided to add 3 more females. Now I am getting 3 submales w/ 2 females. Waiting for chaos as I keep my eyes on yours. It would be nice to have them all get along . I have seen two supermales getting along before so it is possible.

 

[snorvich]

It is possible indeed. Usually if the harem evolves, things work out.

 

[SDguy]

All is well to date with the flames. The big male courts a female every night after feeding. The two males don't fight. The large male makes a very rare swipe at the small male. Clearly no aggression from the smaller one.

Some updated pics...

Big male:

Small male:

Yawning big male

And I tried to catch the big male flashing...ugh, sorry the pics are crappy

 

[snorvich]

The big male seems to be evolving further . . . of course the pictures . . . nice fish though!

 

[SDguy]

Figured I'd update. I think I just really lucked out with the large male finally adapting to captivity just before the new male ousted him. He is THE boss of the tank now. Constantly displaying, eating anything and everything I throw in. Zero conflict between any of the 4 specimens in the tank. Every night about 30 minutes after feeding the big male courts a female. Looks like everyone has reached a happy understanding Thanks for all the help in this thread :thumbsup:

 

[z's_N_p's]

Figured I'd update. I think I just really lucked out with the large male finally adapting to captivity just before the new male ousted him. He is THE boss of the tank now. Constantly displaying, eating anything and everything I throw in. Zero conflict between any of the 4 specimens in the tank. Every night about 30 minutes after feeding the big male courts a female. Looks like everyone has reached a happy understanding Thanks for all the help in this thread :thumbsup:

wow SDguy... that big male look amazing... I'm glad it's working out for you... more pics and vids please... lol...

 

[ShrimpChipGal]

wow... I gotta lend you my flip cam so you can take a video for me. I don't think we will get a male flame since the two male wrasses were totally going at it the last couple of nights. Scales flying equivalent to sparks from sword fights.