New Flame Wrasse?

[brannock_16]

Hello Everyone,

I recently purchased a Hawaiian Flame Wrasse and had it in a QT tank with four other flames until all of them were eating. The flame that I took home was by far the largest out of the group and showed the most yellow on its body out of the other four.

My question is, is that since mine is obviously a sub male (due to the body size in respect to the body size of the females in the QT and the noticeable yellow appearing on its body) will it continue to change into a male even though it does not have a female present?

I know it will not develop the supermale colors unless there are females and other males present, but I wanted to make sure that since it is in what appears to be the beginning stages of a sub male if it will continue to morph into a male.

Thanks in advance for your help and your opinions.

Robert

 

[snorvich]

If a female is present, it will likely continue.

 

[adammreef]

Steve what is the difference between a sub male and a super male? I see these terms used alot but never understood them.

 

[coralreefhq]

Sub-male is a female in transition to becoming a male, or if you're lucky; supermale.

A supermale is formed when there is a full harem. Harem is 3 or more females + 1 male.

This works the same way for most wrasses. Mystery Wrasse is one of the few that are excluded from this.

 

[brannock_16]

If a female is present, it will likely continue.

And if a female is not present? I only have the single wrasse that appears to be in the midst of being a submale.

 

[coralreefhq]

Oddly enough, I've had my harem, all turn into supermale's except for 1 female.

Not sure why it happened, but all of them are getting along just fine.