Wrasses - Male to SuperMale!!!

[roktsintst]

I am looking to buy a Lineatus Wrasse and I have a question. Will a male wrasse eventually change into a supermale with a growth in size? Or does it need to breed to become supermale???

 

[skibum9884]

i hear it's verrryyy unlikely if not impossible. pretty close to your 1K post!

 

[snorvich]

In the presence of a harem of females, it is likely to become a supermale. Absent that condition, it is not impossible but unlikely. Remember that a supermale develops high level coloration to attract females.

 

[roktsintst]

SkiBum - I hadn't even noticed that so this is to you!!! 1000

 

[roktsintst]

In the presence of a harem of females, it is likely to become a supermale. Absent that condition, it is not impossible but unlikely. Remember that a supermale develops high level coloration to attract females.

Hmmm.... I've heard that female lineatus are very aggressive so I was gonna just go w/ a supermale. But im having some problems finding one so I was thinking of just getting a male.

Now, I i just have a male lineatus, but female flames and rhomboids, would the male lineaus change to SuperMale?

 

[albano]

Now, I i just have a male lineatus, but female flames and rhomboids, would the male lineaus change to SuperMale?

Unlikely...this is more of a 'natural enviorment' (the ocean) development...there are not other similar males to compete with in your tank!

 

[bradleyj]

Hi Ryan, Although its not a S/M, It will still grow larger. They tend to lose their brilliant coloration though if they dont have females to showoff to. So are you telling us you now have female flames and female rhomboids and a single male lineautis? I dont think the female lineautis's are any more aggressive than the female flames.
How many females of each?

 

[roktsintst]

Thanks Brad.

I Only have a single lubbocks right now. Im getting ready to start adding fish, but i want to do it right.
I orignially wanted trio's of Flames, Rhomboids, and Lineatus. I was talking w/ someone and they said that female lineatus are harder to come by, and they are very aggressive. I am looking for some info on this.

My thought (and Im not stuck on this) to have a trio of each, was to add 3 females of each and let the dominant one morph into a female. I understand that I wont get Supermale colors until they male has mated, however, I think the multiple same species look, is cooler that just singe supermales.

I am looking to educate myself, as well as make a smart decision here. Any help is appreciated!!!

 

[roktsintst]

Also, will the male get better colors w/ size? And how much different colors than SuperMale?

 

[roktsintst]

If i got three maybe 2" lineatus (listed as male) would one become dominant and the other to morph back to female?

I've read that at small size, it is difficult to tell male from females wrasses for the most part... I very well could have been misinformed!!!

 

[bradleyj]

No, I think you are right . The juviniles are difficult to tell the difference.
I would look for a male lineautis around 4-5 inches in size and have a red tail. And get a couple of females. But like I said before, find the rhomboids first, they are the most timid.
If I was to do it again, I would get a large male and 2 females of each.

 

[roktsintst]

Hmmm...

Brad, are you saying I would be OK getting 3 small male Lineatus?

Im trying to find the Rhomboids, but im having some trouble...

That is interesting about if you could do it over again. Do you think im gonna run into trouble buying females and letting the dominant one change?

 

[bradleyj]

I'm not sure, I've never gone that route, just heard from others. I just know that the males are often easier to find, and if you can find a couple of females to go with the male, then why not.

 

[roktsintst]

Ok sounds good... Do you think i should add them all at once, or add them as I can find them?

 

[bradleyj]

Best if all at once, but if not, I;m sure you can add the male and then the females.

 

[Dejavu]

I'm not sure if it will happen with a Lineatus Wrasse, but I would guess it would. I bought 5 female flame wrasse 3 month ago and one has change to a super male already.

 

[roktsintst]

Really???

Pictures Please!!!!

If any of you wrasse guys have any input, Is is possible to go from Female to male to SuperMale in a tank with other Females?

 

[roktsintst]

Really???

Pictures Please!!!!

If any of you wrasse guys have any input, Is is possible to go from Female to male to SuperMale in a tank with other Females?

 

[MFR]

I started with 1 male & 7 females (?) FLAMES. Anyway, the big male died. I subsequently lost two others & one is definitely on its way to being a super male:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1757363

 

[cwoods8]

Really???

Pictures Please!!!!

If any of you wrasse guys have any input, Is is possible to go from Female to male to SuperMale in a tank with other Females?

Yes it is possible........in fact it is also possible that one of the females will turn into a male and compete with the teminal male...hence two supermales...and that is bad news in a small aquarium (trust me i learned the hard way).