Mystery wrasse question

[Tajjo]

I'm purchasing a large mystery wrasse (5") the only thing is that it's a female and I wanted a male (with stripes). My question is if I add another mystery smaller ofcourse will the larger develope the stripes?

 

[Tajjo]

Anybody?

 

[melev]

You might ask in the Reef Fishes forum if you don't get an answer. I don't know.

 

[double_g2k]

I dont think Wrasses can switch gender like that

 

[mdrc]

im with double, from what im reading wrasses are born a certin sex and i think they stay that way

 

[eros]

Many wrasses can change sex but I don't know about mystery wrasses specifically, but I think they can. Ask the guys in this thread
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1058364
It's a thread about fairy wrasses but they will probably know.

 

[Tajjo]

Thanks for the input fellas. If anybody has any more info please feel free to chime in.

 

[Tajjo]

I had another mystery wrasse which was a male then it lost it's striped I'm guessing making him a her? Any input?

 

[Mavrk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15326565#post15326565 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tajjo
I had another mystery wrasse which was a male then it lost it's striped I'm guessing making him a her? Any input?

From what I understand, the stripes on the Mystery Wrasse get thinner as they get older. Sometimes they even disappear. The male colors will be more vibrant when in the presence of a female that it is trying to mate with. I wouldn't put a second one in a tank though. They don't get along with other mystery wrasse (even though I read that they are sometimes okay with other wrasse), and at that price I would not chance it.

BTW, my mysery wrasse arrives on 7/14 I can't wait.