Flame Wrasse Behavior

Lacktaters · 11/14/2012, 08:35 AM

This goes on in my tank every night for hours. I'm pretty sure it's nuptial behavior, but I wanted to ask the experts to make sure it isn't aggressive behavior. The male goes all day acting as though he doesn't even notice the females and then all of a sudden IT'S ON!!! He won't leave them alone. He chases them around flashing for hours. Sometimes I worry it might be extremely stressful for the females. I also wonder if they might be changing into males, and he is just showing his dominance. Then I think I'm just worrying too much, and I should just sit back and enjoy the show.

http://youtu.be/-kRmEg3AIdk

jt_milstead · 11/14/2012, 09:10 AM

Gorgeous fish!!!
Do I see another fairy wrasse in there?

Lacktaters · 11/14/2012, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jt_milstead

Gorgeous fish!!!
Do I see another fairy wrasse in there?

Thanks, i like him too. Those other 2 fairy wrasses are labout's.

evolved · 11/14/2012, 12:54 PM

I'm unable to watch your video at the moment, but what you describe (especially the time of day) is classic courting/nuptial behavior.

Nothing to worry about from the description at least.

Lacktaters · 11/14/2012, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evolved

I'm unable to watch your video at the moment, but what you describe (especially the time of day) is classic courting/nuptial behavior.

Nothing to worry about from the description at least.

Thanks. If you get a chance, check out the video and let me know what you think. I won't worry about it unless I hear otherwise from you.

cmaxwell39 · 11/14/2012, 07:20 PM

Classic courting behavior. Nothing to worry about. Great looking trio of flames BTW. Enjoy them.

Bernie21 · 11/14/2012, 08:59 PM

Beautiful FISH, one of my all time favs if not my fav!

Lacktaters · 11/14/2012, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmaxwell39

Classic courting behavior. Nothing to worry about. Great looking trio of flames BTW. Enjoy them.

Thanks. I will :-)

Lacktaters · 11/14/2012, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernie21

Beautiful FISH, one of my all time favs if not my fav!

Thanks. I heard this a number of times and couldn't justify the cost. Now that I have them, I can vouch they are worth every cent!

Bernie21 · 11/15/2012, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lacktaters

Thanks. I heard this a number of times and couldn't justify the cost. Now that I have them, I can vouch they are worth every cent!

Im waiting for my LFS to get me one. I know its alot of money but I need it! Ill hold back on other things.

coralreefdoc · 11/15/2012, 07:10 AM

Perfectly normal. While this can be stressful to the female(s), especially if there is only one female present, the male C. jordani is simply enticing the female(s) to rise into the water column and spawn !

If you notice closely, around the 49s mark, the male produces a short, quick shutter while darting towards the surface ... "IF" the female were to join him, producing that same distinct movement, simultaneously with the male while darting towards the surface, then your jordanis would be exhibiting a classic Cirrhilabrus spawning characteristic. This would include a "spray" of both M/F gametes into the water column ...

aandfsoccr04 · 11/15/2012, 10:08 AM

beautiful fish you have there

EddieJ · 11/15/2012, 10:50 AM

I need to get my Male Flame wrasse a couple of females!! LOL!! He has lost his swagger and his color is not as brilliant as when I purchased him.

Would other variations of wrasses cause him to color up as well? He rarely if ever flashes these days, he will try to be tough guy with my cromis from time to time. But for the most part, he is very submissive to my Blue Throat triggers and Tangs..

Lacktaters · 11/15/2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieJ

I need to get my Male Flame wrasse a couple of females!! LOL!! He has lost his swagger and his color is not as brilliant as when I purchased him.

Would other variations of wrasses cause him to color up as well? He rarely if ever flashes these days, he will try to be tough guy with my cromis from time to time. But for the most part, he is very submissive to my Blue Throat triggers and Tangs..

I've heard male fairy wrasses will flash other male fairy wrasses and that some of them will keep most, if not all, of their color without the presence of a female as long as there is some form of "competition" in the system. You just need to be careful about compatibility among the different types. Some are known to be aggressive towards particular wrasses, but there are no absolutes in this hobby.

evolved · 11/15/2012, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lacktaters

I've heard male fairy wrasses will flash other male fairy wrasses and that some of them will keep most, if not all, of their color without the presence of a female as long as there is some form of "competition" in the system. You just need to be careful about compatibility among the different types. Some are known to be aggressive towards particular wrasses, but there are no absolutes in this hobby.

Correct. You'll get flashing but not a show like this without conspecific females.

Watch the video btw; nothing more to add.

Lacktaters · 11/15/2012, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aandfsoccr04

beautiful fish you have there

Thank you. I've been really happy with them!

Lacktaters · 11/15/2012, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evolved

Correct. You'll get flashing but not a show like this without conspecific females.

Watch the video btw; nothing more to add.

Very interesting. I've read many-a-post advising against the purchase of female flames because their tendency to change into males and cause problems. I couldn't resist because I wanted to see the big show. Do you think this is likely to happen with an obviously dominant male presence such as this?

coralreefdoc · 11/16/2012, 05:23 AM

Not likely, no ... It greatly depends on a number of specific variables:

Size of the tank. Size/temperament of the conspecific Female(s). Quantity/ratio of Females

Ultimately, the propensity of the male to assert his dominance over the Females/harem, or allow for a sub male to be present within the social hierarchy ...

SDguy · 11/16/2012, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lacktaters

I've read many-a-post advising against the purchase of female flames because their tendency to change into males and cause problems.

This was my experience.

Hopefully you have a better long term outcome.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...1#post16279131

evolved · 11/16/2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lacktaters

Very interesting. I've read many-a-post advising against the purchase of female flames because their tendency to change into males and cause problems. I couldn't resist because I wanted to see the big show. Do you think this is likely to happen with an obviously dominant male presence such as this?

Would you rather pick a card or flip a coin?

All bets are off on that one. My feelings are the smaller, more juvenile females you start with the better the odds of them remaining female.

The good news is, if the females do transition within the system, so long as it's a big enough tank (which yours is) things generally work out with flames without them killing each other.

11/14/2012, 08:35 AM	#1
Lacktaters Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 128	Flame Wrasse Behavior This goes on in my tank every night for hours. I'm pretty sure it's nuptial behavior, but I wanted to ask the experts to make sure it isn't aggressive behavior. The male goes all day acting as though he doesn't even notice the females and then all of a sudden IT'S ON!!! He won't leave them alone. He chases them around flashing for hours. Sometimes I worry it might be extremely stressful for the females. I also wonder if they might be changing into males, and he is just showing his dominance. Then I think I'm just worrying too much, and I should just sit back and enjoy the show. http://youtu.be/-kRmEg3AIdk

11/14/2012, 12:54 PM	#4
evolved Wrasse Nut Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,047	I'm unable to watch your video at the moment, but what you describe (especially the time of day) is classic courting/nuptial behavior. Nothing to worry about from the description at least. __________________ - Hunter Hammond

11/14/2012, 08:59 PM	#7
Bernie21 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Miami, Fl... Posts: 2,161	Beautiful FISH, one of my all time favs if not my fav! __________________ Reefing is an addiction rehab doesn't work for... Current Tank Info: Downgraded to a 0 Gal non Mixed Reef - Direct sun watts & 1x moon Actinics. RIO 00 return, no skimmer Skimmer.

11/15/2012, 10:08 AM	#12
aandfsoccr04 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 3,561	beautiful fish you have there __________________ 120 gallon mixed reef

11/15/2012, 10:50 AM	#13
EddieJ Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brunswick Ohio Posts: 492	I need to get my Male Flame wrasse a couple of females!! LOL!! He has lost his swagger and his color is not as brilliant as when I purchased him. Would other variations of wrasses cause him to color up as well? He rarely if ever flashes these days, he will try to be tough guy with my cromis from time to time. But for the most part, he is very submissive to my Blue Throat triggers and Tangs.. __________________ Eddie J ========== 210 Gallon

11/14/2012, 09:10 AM	#2
jt_milstead Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Poway Ca.(San Diego) Posts: 951	Gorgeous fish!!! Do I see another fairy wrasse in there?

11/14/2012, 07:20 PM	#6
cmaxwell39 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 229	Classic courting behavior. Nothing to worry about. Great looking trio of flames BTW. Enjoy them.

11/15/2012, 07:10 AM	#11
coralreefdoc Moved On Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cavitation Bubble Posts: 776	Perfectly normal. While this can be stressful to the female(s), especially if there is only one female present, the male C. jordani is simply enticing the female(s) to rise into the water column and spawn ! If you notice closely, around the 49s mark, the male produces a short, quick shutter while darting towards the surface ... "IF" the female were to join him, producing that same distinct movement, simultaneously with the male while darting towards the surface, then your jordanis would be exhibiting a classic Cirrhilabrus spawning characteristic. This would include a "spray" of both M/F gametes into the water column ...

11/16/2012, 05:23 AM	#18
coralreefdoc Moved On Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cavitation Bubble Posts: 776	Not likely, no ... It greatly depends on a number of specific variables: Size of the tank. Size/temperament of the conspecific Female(s). Quantity/ratio of Females Ultimately, the propensity of the male to assert his dominance over the Females/harem, or allow for a sub male to be present within the social hierarchy ... Last edited by coralreefdoc; 11/16/2012 at 05:37 AM.