The start of a flame wrasse war?

[Dejavu]

Last night I was able to get a few picture of what I hope will not be the start of a war between two of my flame wrasses. A submale, that might be turning "supermale" decided to test the waters a bit.

Here is a pic of my "supermale" for reference.

.... and this a my submale testing the waters. Now this could be because of the addition of the blueline, as I have never seen him flash like this. It last more than 2 hrs!

Flashing for a female

Flashing for the "supermale"

 

[jc16]

wow cool pictuers!

 

[Sethwolv]

In 270 gallons, there still at each other?

 

[snorvich]

Tank size is almost irrelevant. However, that is not yet a supermale but is a fully developed male unlike his competitor. You may or may not have a problem. If the submale develops you may have an issue but its development may stop.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

IME, it will continue until one, or sadly both, are gone. I had a group where the supermale jumped in the overflow, and in the elss than 24 hours, two subordinate males started challenging for dominance, even upon return of the supermale. They literally killed each other out. Just my experience.

 

[SDguy]

So far my experience has been less traumatic. I bought one large male, and three small females. One female has since turned into a submale. There is no agression between any of the four wrasses. Even after apparently the large male jumped, and got pretty beat up before making his way back into the tank, he still is dominant, without issue. Time will tell what happens eventually.

 

[Dejavu]

Tank size is almost irrelevant. However, that is not yet a supermale but is a fully developed male unlike his competitor. You may or may not have a problem. If the submale develops you may have an issue but its development may stop.

I guess that my understanding of what a supermale is wrong. Could you explain why the first male shown is not a supermale.

And yes I agree that tank size has nothing to do with what I'm experiencing. Although it might be worth pointing out that the seldom are one the same side of the tank together. I have 5 flames in all and these two normally are on opposite sides of the tank, while the other travel all over.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

I guess that my understanding of what a supermale is wrong. Could you explain why the first male shown is not a supermale.

And yes I agree that tank size has nothing to do with what I'm experiencing. Although it might be worth pointing out that the seldom are one the same side of the tank together. I have 5 flames in all and these two normally are on opposite sides of the tank, while the other travel all over.

I think he mightve been referring to the "other" male. Thats how I read it. But, Ill let him answer.

 

[Dejavu]

From all the pics I have seen the first male is what is considered a supermale, with full male coloration. The biggest difference between the two is the yellow body, my pics aren't the best bun in person there is a distinct difference. I could be wrong.

What I believe is a supermale:

Submale or terminal male

 

[SDguy]

I think it has to do with the amount/brightness of the yellow, and brightness of the red. Like the marinecenter pic:

Oh, and I think maybe the amount of purple edging to the tail and anal fin? But I'm not sure...

 

[iamwrasseman]

some beautiful fish there ,my flames always seem to hurt their mouth area and slowly wither so i stay away from them . they also can be skiddish like the scotts fairy .

 

[Cantonesefish]

It's a flame war!

Don't worry, this kind of thing happens on RC all the time. The best solution is to seperate one of the individuals from the system.

 

[Dejavu]

I think it has to do with the amount/brightness of the yellow, and brightness of the red. Like the marinecenter pic:

Oh, and I think maybe the amount of purple edging to the tail and anal fin? But I'm not sure...

Thanks Peter, Mine in person looks more like the pic for marinecenter. I'm still working on my photography skills . Either way he is definitely the dominate male of the group. Here are pic with the WB adjusted.

 

[nikon187]

Terminal male and super male are the same thing.

 

[iamwrasseman]

i cant remember exactly how it is worded but if you PM or post that question of terminal male vs.supermale etc to live aquaria they have a very in depth and concise wording that is pretty much 100% correct but there is a small difference between the two.i will post the question to them right now and you can look it up tomorrow

 

[iamwrasseman]

yup they are basically the same as i checked it out ,pretty much a male that has sometimes paired but is at the peak of its display colors but the terminal male will not ever change back to a female, if its confronted with another more dominate male it will fight him off or lose .

 

[Akrite]

This is a great example of the difference between a male and a supermale. Great Pix!

 

[bradleyj]

Here is a recent pic of my submale. that was a female just 3 months ago.

He's testing the waters with my other big males also. So far , they just ignore him.

 

[rgentry123]

Here is a recent pic of my submale. that was a female just 3 months ago.

He's testing the waters with my other big males also. So far , they just ignore him.

THAT is a beautiful fish.

 

[SDguy]

My dominant terminal male was dethroned a while back. Approximately 1 day of HEAVY fighting. After that, peace. Only the new male is allowed to flash now.