sexual dimorphism on chalk bass ??

[Kiopino]

hi,
i'm about to order my final addition to my tank, 2 chalk bass. I have been looking online regarding sexual dimorphism or if they were hermaphrodite. The info i found is contradictory. noting on live aquaria.

what are you experience ?

thanks

 

[ThRoewer]

No experience with Serranus tortugarum, but all Serranus species should be simultaneously hermaphroditic fish. Serranus baldwini certainly is:

Mating system of the hermaphroditic coral-reef fish, Serranus baldwini

From the abstract of the article below I gather that Serranus tortugarum is a simultaneously hermaphroditic fish as well even though it doesn't look very much like a typical Serranus.

Egg Trading in the Chalk Bass, Serranus tortugarum, a Simultaneous Hermaphrodite

In the past I had a juvenile Mediterranean Seranus scriba. But he was still a baby so I couldn't test if he would actually spawn with himself.

 

[starkii]

It was recently found that this species can change sexual roles up to 20 times a day. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/07/sex-swapping-fish-chalk-bass-hermaphrodites/

 

[Kiopino]

wow thanks guys!!

 

[ThRoewer]

This is actually an interesting fish. In the past I always thought that this species gets as big as other Serranus species, but this one stays with 8 cm in a reasonable range.

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[C.Eymann]

I have nothing to add as ThRoewer seems to have covered everything. Chalk basslets are a very cool fish that is often overlooked in the hobby, wonderful additions to any reef.