Sex of adult Thalassoma lutescens

[kirkaz]

I have seen on Divers Den several times "Banana Wrasse Male Terminal Phase"....Can somebody help me out with what exactly that means? Is my 7+ inch T. Lutescens a male?

2 current pics...not very good pics, very tough fish to photograph

This is him as a baby of about 3 inches 2.5 years ago, you can see the obvious change.

 

[IFbettas]

Your fish is a terminal phase male.

 

[AquaKnight]

I am not so sure I would use either "terminal" or "male" yet.

Compared to any of the ones on google, yours doesn't appear to be forming that center blue band the "large males" seem to have. Example;

This one is from Fishbase, and is 22cm, 8.6". Not really "a ton" bigger. But judging from eye-to-body-size, seems larger then the first pic I posted. If that's the case, I would have expected yours to have formed that blue band already?

Though I have not been able to pin down what I'd consider a female. The female on fishbase is IMO, just a smaller fish. Very similar to when you first got yours.
http://www.fishbase.gr/Photos/Pictu...ession=&lme=&StartRow=4&TotRec=11&SortBy=iucn

 

[IFbettas]

I am not so sure I would use either "terminal" or "male" yet.

Compared to any of the ones on google, yours doesn't appear to be forming that center blue band the "large males" seem to have. Example;

His fish might not have the blue band, but it is definately not an initial phase specimen. It might not be a "super male" yet, assuming it will acquire the blue band at a later age.

I still say it is a terminal phase fish, as the juveniles and initial phase specimens do not have any of the pink markings on the head, and have a predominantly yellow body.

 

[kirkaz]

I am not so sure I would use either "terminal" or "male" yet.

Compared to any of the ones on google, yours doesn't appear to be forming that center blue band the "large males" seem to have. Example;

Though I have not been able to pin down what I'd consider a female. The female on fishbase is IMO, just a smaller fish. Very similar to when you first got yours.
]

I guess that is one of the reasons I ask, I don't recall Divers Den ever selling what they said was a large female. Is the blue band the difference in adults? Also, I've never heard this...Are Thalassoma wrasses able to "choose" their sex like some Anthias? I'm pretty sure they can't change sex, but if you have 2 young one's will one become male, one female?

 

[cakemanPA]

I have been looking for a female to get for my terminal male Banana Wrasse. While I was doing my research, I was told that the only way to guarantee female was to get a very small fish that had not changed.

Also the blue band seems to come and go on my male. Mood dependent or a form of "flashing"?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kirkaz]

I have been looking for a female to get for my terminal male Banana Wrasse. While I was doing my research, I was told that the only way to guarantee female was to get a very small fish that had not changed.

That is a big reason I was asking, I would love to add a "female" (if mine is infact male) down the road when I upgrade....Based on what you're saying, they can pick their sex??

 

[IFbettas]

That is a big reason I was asking, I would love to add a "female" (if mine is infact male) down the road when I upgrade....Based on what you're saying, they can pick their sex??

In Thalassoma, all fish start out as juveniles (which could be male or female) which then turn into initial phase fish. Out of the initial phase fish, some are still males and some are females. The most dominant of the initial fish will become a terminal phase male, like your fish. Typically, it is a male initial fish that will turn into a terminal male, however, the females also have the ability to change sex and turn into a terminal male. No terminal phase fish are females.

If you wish to get a female, your best bet is to buy a few juveniles, and let the wrasses sort out who's who. Given that initial males and females look the same, you still might never know whether you have a female or not though.

 

[AquaKnight]

BZA article
http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/resources.asp?show=73

Mentions Thalassoma's are protogynous hermaphrodites. Females in the group can change to male, if the dominant male dies, but other females are required for the change.


Here is the only pic of what I'd feel comfortable calling a female. Though as pointed out, there is probably no difference between initial males, and females. This is two big males, and a single female.

Also note the present of Lunares,shoulder to shoulder with them