Question for Wrasse Experts

[Almondsaz]

I have a female Macropharyngodon bipartitus and she is about 2 1/2 inches in length and she has been in the system for two weeks and doing well - always peaceful and goes about doing her own thing. Today I got a male Macropharyngodon meleagris and he is about 2 inches. The female has been picking on him ever since he got into the tank and chases him and then stops, then chases him again.

Is this establishing dominance, or is it possible that the female is changing to a male - I thought that she would have to be an adult before she could turn male.

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Almondsaz]

Attached are some quick pictures I just took.

 

[RJT]

I have had a bipartitus for the last 6 months. She has killed 2 other macropharyngodon's. The one that is left she really torments relentlessly sometimes. Other times she totally ignores her for days. Neither one is turning male from what I can tell. The bipartitus doesn't bother any other fish even if they are a lot smaller.

If the meleagris can handle the torment it may be okay if yours is like mine.

 

[Almondsaz]

RJT: thank you for responding. I really like the male leopard and the behavior of the bipartitus seems so out of character. She goes into the sand about 4:00 each day and the male is still out but leery of her being around the corner of one of the rock formations. I hope it works out - they are both such beautiful fish.

 

[RJT]

As long as the leopard is eating and can establish itself somewhat it will be okay from my experience.

They are beautiful fish. One of my favorites. Good luck

 

[hybrid]

are you sure that the new wrasse is a meleagris to me it looks more like a ornate leopard

 

[Almondsaz]

The picture quality is bad, but the new one is a male leopard. I have seen ornates and this one isn't the same. I am fairly confident it is not an ornate. Thanks for chiming in.

 

[Cubbies]

Sometimes Leopards will only work out in ones. I have seen them in groups and have also seen the few that will only tolerate themselves in the tank. I hope it works out for you but it's not always 100%. They are just like other Wrasses or any other kind of fish for that. Sometimes they want to be the only ones and will not tolerate others.

 

[Almondsaz]

Cubbies: thank you for your response, I will keep and eye on them today and see if the situation gets any better.