Newest Acquisition: Two Xenojulis margaritaceus Wrasses

[MechEng99]

So, yesterday at my LFS, they got in a new shipment. I was digging around before the fish were even in the tank, and I spotted something unusual. The wholesaler had two fish labelled as "Green Coris Wrasse," but these definitely were not. I didn't know exactly what they were, but I got both of them anyway (and before you bash me, I've kept various leopard wrasses successfully over the years.)

After a good bit of digging, I believe I have two juvenile (female?) Xenojulis margaritaceus wrasses (aka "Finspot" or "Golden Nugget"). Sorry the pics aren't the greatest - they're in a PraziPro bath right now.

I'm hoping I'll get a male out of the pair. Any idea how long it may take? One is about 3" long, and the other is only about 1.5".

Anyone had success with these? Any tips? I will admit these weren't doing great at the store (all the stress), and they still aren't acting quite as I hoped. They are both eating mysis like crazy though, so I still have hope. Keep your fingers crossed!

 

[gmate]

Gorgeous looking fish!

 

[stuifbol]

Awesome fish...never seen them before

 

[Blacksscamaro]

can you pm me how much those were. Very interested in trying to find some here

 

[MechEng99]

Thanks for the compliments. I'm happy to report they're doing a bit better. They've been hiding out in the sand most of the days, but they do come out to eat. They still seem very stressed, so I gave them a methylene blue dip today.

 

[29144u]

beautiful score

 

[MechEng99]

So, the smaller one is now turning pink instead of green. I thought usually the larger, more dominant wrasse would turn colors while changing sex. Does this mean they were both males and the smaller is changing back to a female? What's going on?

 

[OodleyBoodely]

Could they be these grass wrasses? Either way, very pretty fish!
http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/productDetail.asp?did=1&pid=1007&cid=290

 

[o2manyfish]

They look similar to the Gold nugget wrasses that Uniquecorals got in. They definitely are different, the more you study them the more you appreciate them.

The ones I saw had some serious teeth and made me a little wary with my smaller shrimp and fish.

Hope they do well in your QT, they are very cool.


Dave B

 

[Texsun]

Any pictures now that they are settled in?

 

[acesq]

I picked up a 3" male (I think) from Unique Corals about 5 weeks ago. He went into the display after a month in QT. VERY active. Eats like a pig. Constantly digging in the sand looking for worms and pods. Has not bothered any of my other fish including a much smaller Choati. So far a great addition.

 

[Johanv]

New pics?

 

[MechEng99]

Oodley - No, they aren't grass wrasses.

O2Many - I just checked UniqueCorals and that's what I have. Beautiful fish (and their photos are MUCH better!) Wish I could find more info on them...particularly which is the male/female. Also wish I could find info on when their spots appear/disappear. Hmm...

Aces - glad to hear yours aren't bothering anything. Yes, these have some nasty teeth on them, but after comparing them to my pair of leopard wrasses, I think they're pretty close. I think these just look worse b/c their lips are so green (or at least mine are.)

Ahh sorry about pics, they're still in QT (finishing up hyposalinity soon), and none of the pics are looking great. The little one is pretty much solid reddish-pink, but the pics are making him/her still look green. Speaking of the little one...it seems like its mouth isn't quite right...the lower jaw looks bashed in. It's only eating very very small particles of food. Am I just being paranoid or is this a real problem? (And yes, the little one is pretty bashed up altogether...came in like that. But...it's doing much better than the first few nights.)

 

[evolved]

Yes, golden nugget is the common name for this species.

Also yes, the mouth damage is quite cause for concern. Sorry to say, but that's generally a death sentence for any wrasse. It either happened during collection or by darting into the side of the tank (more likely).

Their spots won't appear/disappear at any certain age or size; that will be dependent upon environment.

And yes, certainly you're either seeing the smaller one revert back to female (only possible if it was still a transitional male) or it has become a transitional male, leaving the smaller still female. I doubt the latter however, especially if the larger was displaying dominance. In that case, I'd be more inclined to think you're seeing a reversion back to female.

 

[BeanMachine]

They look similar to the Gold nugget wrasses that Uniquecorals got in. They definitely are different, the more you study them the more you appreciate them.

The ones I saw had some serious teeth and made me a little wary with my smaller shrimp and fish.

Hope they do well in your QT, they are very cool.


Dave B

Yep they sure do I almost bought one when we visited. Nice find OP good luck with them I don't have any experience. If you've been successful with leopards you should be fine.

 

[MechEng99]

Thanks Evolved! The little one was so beat up, but I figured if it had a chance anywhere it'd be with me. They come out of QT in less than a month, so I'll post up some better pictures then. Cross your fingers for both - it'd be nice to have a mated pair.

 

[MechEng99]

Good news...the little one is still holding on and is taking larger pieces of food (still really skinny). She? is still changing color - getting pinker every day. The larger one is...well...just fat, green, and happy.

I have a pair of Meleagris wrasses in a 150g (they're the only fish in there). Any idea if these two will get along with the other two in that large of a space? The Meleagris "male" is a transitional male, if that changes anything. I have other tanks, but I'd prefer to have these all together if possible. How should I introduce them for best results (if it'll work?)

 

[BeanMachine]

I am having a problem with my transitioning meleagris when I add any new wrasse. Currently have a lineatus in an acclimation box and the leopard doesn't like her one bit.

I may have to remove the male leopard and put him in my sump for a couple of weeks so I can introduce the lineatus female.

Good luck keep everyone posted those are great fish.

 

[Katis]

Nice pair of wrasses.

 

[MechEng99]

Update (these pics do not do any justice to these fish...they're gorgeous!)

The larger one (male?) has definitely changed a bit since I got him. He's also gotten unbelievably fat.

Bad pic, but here are his teeth.

The little one (female?) is beyond skinny due to her jaw issue. I finally got her eating baby brine shrimp, so I'm hoping it's not too late. She has changed a ton too since I got her...she barely has any green left.

Jaw issue...I'm guessing there's nothing I can do but hope, pray, and feed teeny foods?