Hoeven's Wrasses(Melanurus)

[nanoreefer22]

So I bought a pair of these little guys and after doing lots of research, I saw that a lot of the ones online have much different coloration. I was wondering if this is something they develop over time as they mature. Mine looks like this right now...
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1379+2285&pcatid=2285
And online they look like this, assuming it's a mature male.
http://www.marinecenter.com/media/photos/FE5A99DD69DA4F15A9772D9E68177620.jpg

I guess what I'm trying to ask is, if in fact i do have a true pair, will the male's coloration end up like the second picture?

-Kris

 

[Lenny718]

I'm not sure about the males coloration but there defiantly cool little fish, Best of luck with your new pair

 

[prattreef]

The ones you have are in juvi coloration. If there is a male, it will eventually turn into the coloration in the second pic.

 

[KathyC]

Pretty fishies Kris..best of luck with them :flower:

 

[nanoreefer22]

Pretty fishies Kris..best of luck with them :flower:

Thanks Kathy!!

Lenny,
They do have cool little traits. For some reason I like watching them bury into the sand when the lights go out.

Randy,
Is it somewhat safe to assume that since they are coexisting with no drama that it might be a male and female? One of them is significantly smaller than the other. One is maybe 3inches where as the other is 1.5-2inches and with much less body.

 

[Deanos]

Is it somewhat safe to assume that since they are coexisting with no drama that it might be a male and female? One of them is significantly smaller than the other. One is maybe 3inches where as the other is 1.5-2inches and with much less body.

IMO, if they are both juveniles, they wouldn't fight until they approach maturity, regardless what sex they are.

 

[nanoreefer22]

IMO, if they are both juveniles, they wouldn't fight until they approach maturity, regardless what sex they are.

Thanks Dean

 

[nanoreefer22]

Another question, you guys think the Wrasses would attack/kill peppermint shrimp or cleaner shrimp that were of good size?

 

[prattreef]

I did a little more research and that appears to be female coloration. One might still change into a male.

 

[Aquatic Life Direct]

If that is a Hoeven's wrasse why are they calling it a Halichoeres melanurus? Shouldnt it be Halichoeres Hoeveni?

 

[prattreef]

Not sure where the "Hoeven's " comes from. This is the problem with using non-scientific names-- it is sometimes difficult to know what we all are talking about. The assigned name for this species is H. melanuras. AND I might add, there is a whole complex of very similar Halichoeres wrasses that are very hard to distinguish between-particularly regarding juvi. and female coloration.

 

[Josh]

My hoevens doesn't look like either of those photos, it is closer to a 6 line, but I am starting to see the stripes of male coloration appear. Maybe it will be closer to those images after it matures a little more.

 

[h20 freak]

My hoevens doesn't look like either of those photos, it is closer to a 6 line, but I am starting to see the stripes of male coloration appear. Maybe it will be closer to those images after it matures a little more.

pics?

 

[nanoreefer22]

These are the wrasses I have.

Larger and smaller

Larger and part of the smaller

 

[lunner]

looking good man

 

[h20 freak]

Cute little guys, I wouldn't expect them to bother anything but pods.

 

[juan319]

Very nice, where did you buy them from?

 

[nanoreefer22]

Thanks guys!

I actually caught the larger opne eating a bristle worm right out of the sand. The little one tried first but couldn't fit the worm in her mouth. I got them at NWA in the city. Saw one first, then a minute later saw the other. We watched them for a while and decided to give them both a shot.

Now Kathy was over at my place yesterday and noticed something that was different about the fish and I'm not sure if it makes a difference. They both have 3 spots, 2 on their top fin and one right before their tail. The larger one however, has a spot in the middle and back of his top fin, whereas the little one has a spot in the middle and front of the top fin. Does that mean their different fish/sex?

 

[nanoreefer22]

Just a couple of pics I snapped today...First is of the larger, second is both.

Josh do they look like yours?

 

[Lenny718]

Great shots and nice looking fish!