Pairing yellow wrasses long term

[xtlosx]

So we added two yellow wrasses into our tank about 2.5 months ago now and have so far had zero aggression, fin nipping, etc... There is the occasional get out of my way by the male but that's about it they seem to follow each other around and hunt for stuff together on the rocks.

At the LFS we picked the best looking male, and looked to identify a female based on what I could find online and put them into a QT holding tank together. Zero aggression initially and still looks good in our home tank. I realize three months or so isn't a long time in fish terms, but has anyone had success keeping a pair of yellow wrasses long term? Any spawning or baby makin'? Just curious as ours seem to do very well together.. They're actually my two favorite fish in the tank.

Thanks everyone.

 

[evolved]

Wrasses don't truly "pair" (as clowns form a bonded relationship), it's all about dominance and submission just like a harem of anthias. In the wild they live in harems as well.

Even in the presence of a dominant male, a female can still transition. And it can happen in a closed system for various reasons.

That being said, Halichoeres are less prone to this than other genera. Once mature enough to spawn, it's quite possible the female will exhibit this behavior. But that might be several years off depending on her size right now. Even if you are fortunate enough to witness spawning, nothing will become of those fertilized eggs without intervention. Wrasses are broadcast spawners, and in our systems those quickly become fish & coral food, skimmed/filtered out, and churned up in pumps.

 

[xtlosx]

Wrasses don't truly "pair" (as clowns form a bonded relationship), it's all about dominance and submission just like a harem of anthias. In the wild they live in harems as well.

Even in the presence of a dominant male, a female can still transition. And it can happen in a closed system for various reasons.

That being said, Halichoeres are less prone to this than other genera. Once mature enough to spawn, it's quite possible the female will exhibit this behavior. But that might be several years off depending on her size right now. Even if you are fortunate enough to witness spawning, nothing will become of those fertilized eggs without intervention. Wrasses are broadcast spawners, and in our systems those quickly become fish & coral food, skimmed/filtered out, and churned up in pumps.

Thank you, I knew that about the whole pairing \ harem thing, but maybe I was trying to see what my long term chances are of having this male and female live in relative peace... So far it seems like it's going well..

I should be able to see pretty quickly if our female transitions just because she looks so much like a female and the male is clearly a male.

 

[evolved]

Females will maintain the "eye-spot" central in the dorsal fin.

 

[xtlosx]

Females will maintain the "eye-spot" central in the dorsal fin.

Very interesting, ours has the same spots as the male, but no black, they're colorful. She's much smaller than him as well, so might still be developing. His are black, and very easily seen, the females are blue'ish with a rainbow colored rim to the spots.... very cool looking fish.

Here's some quick pictures I just snapped.. not sure if it gives you any better idea but they are quick and rarely stay still.

Our female..

Male.. notice his really nice colored mask.. the stripes are amazing.

We can only hope they stay male and female forever... They are my favorite fish in the tank, such character.

 

[evolved]

Very interesting, ours has the same spots as the male, but no black, they're colorful. She's much smaller than him as well, so might still be developing. His are black, and very easily seen, the females are blue'ish with a rainbow colored rim to the spots.... very cool looking fish.

They have the central dorsal spot as juvi's; it fades away in a male with maturity (along with gaining the vivid facial markings you've noted).

But yes, right now you have a pair.