Some new fish at the LFS

[Reefing Newbie]

These fish are labled as Rhoboid Fairy Wrasses. They do not appear to be so. I am thinking C. pylei? They are on a major sale so I may get one for QT with my clowns. $125 for males, $100 for females. Any idea where these were collected?

Females

Males

 

[albano]

Males look like Vanuatu pylies , way too expensive at those prices

 

[Reefing Newbie]

I PM'd the store owner(sponsor of the reef club which is how I got the pictures) and they were collected out of Vanuatu. Didn't realize this was expensive for them. It is probably the least expensive they come locally(pay $10 additional and I get a 14 day guarantee).

 

[albano]

I have seen the pairs (I not sure those are the right females) for $150-175

IME pylies can be aggressive

 

[Reefing Newbie]

Hmmm... I have noticed locally the fish prices are very very high compared to other places or online stores. One LFS was asking $200 for a 4-5" Tennenti Tang, which on LA is $80. The store is saying the females are rhomboid. I can't tell though and find google images iffy if you don't know what they actually look like.

 

[albano]

Does not look like ANY rhomboid females to me (with reddish body!)

 

[Reefing Newbie]

I have a hard time telling female fairy wrasses apart at this point in my SW experience. Maybe later I will be an expert

 

[albano]

IME , even wholesalers and LFSs cannot tell 1 female wrasse from another, especially flasher wrasses!l
Locally many 'unknown' females are sold for $10 each

 

[Reefing Newbie]

I haven't been able to see that here unfortunantly... I wish I did though as I would jump all over it!

 

[brannock_16]

Definitely not a Rhomboid female...but beautiful regardless.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

I decided that I am going to get one of the female wrasses. It is a good deal and I want one. It would fit right in during my QT procedure for the clowns. It will also be nice to watch it change male, that should give us a positive ID for sure. I think it is pylei. Mixed reviews on them as far as being aggressive or peaceful. Most of the reefers in my club say they are peaceful and are worth a try.

 

[pacislandaqua]

the situation is C. pylei is labeled "rhomboid wrasse" out of Vanuatu. Which gets carried over to the stores as "rhomboid wrasse" but is really C. Pylei, NOT C. rhomboidalis

Very common mistakes in LFS.. those are definitely female pylei.

 

[LargeAngels]

Yup. They show up as rhomboid or golden fairy wrasse on the sales list from Vanuatu.

 

[rssjsb]

I've got a female pylei. She's not nasty, but she is quite bold, and I've basically decided I can't have any flashers or wimpier fairy wrasses as long as she's in the tank. Will they change to male with no other females in the tank? I've seen no evidence of it.

 

[reefjunkie42]

i have a pair and is great. love them both. she has stayed a she too. thats usually a issue with faires if the male doesnt display alot IMO

 

[Reefing Newbie]

I will probably get a second female later on. I am paypaling the store tonight so I can pick up Saturday. Well have to get my dad to PayPal. When I get it I will upload some pics if I can.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

Hmm... The LFS offered me a 10% discount on a male-female pair of the pylei. Meaning $22.50 off the $225 it would cost for them. I am just worried that the male I pick out will be more submissive than the female I pick. Would it be better to get a pair now or add a second one later? Better to get two females and have one change male or buy them male and female? I have heard most are able to keep pylei fairy wrasses as pairs so I would like to if I can.