Hermaphadite Fish

[D1J8Z]

Ok, Most of use know that the dominate fish changes to the more dominate sex of that type of fish for example Anthias turn to males when they become more dominate and Clownfish the undetermined dominate of the pair/group become females. I am sure there are more feel free to add to the list.

NOW.


My question is can any of them ever change back or once changed they are changed for ever?

I personally assumed they can't but I figured maybe someone knew 100% and can turn my assumptions to facts or fiction.

 

[nycoralguy]

You answered your own question. The dominent fish will become the dominent sex

 

[D1J8Z]

You answered your own question. The dominent fish will become the dominent sex

That wasn't my question. My question was once they changed to the dominate sex are they changed forever.

 

[cthoughts1]

Good question. I think I read somewhere that clown fish can change back, can anyone confirm?

 

[bubbles4]

from what i have read they start sexless, will remain that way, turn female or male. could go from male to female but i do not think they can turn back.

"protandrous hermaphrodites"

 

[Mr.First]

I think there is an operation they need to take. First they have to pass a phyciatric test though.

 

[homegrowncichlid]

agree with bubbles4 and he has the correct term for it, swallow tail angels, can flip back and forth between male and female.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/angels/genicanthus/

 

[NYreefNoob]

bellus and most fish can and or will, wrasse's will and clowns can as well

 

[D1J8Z]

bellus and most fish can and or will, wrasse's will and clowns can as well

What about anthias can anyone confirm if the male can be dominated by a female and switch sexes?


I know there are plenty of funny jokes But I would prefer a serious answer. But I guess the jokes might keep the thread alive until someone can help me with the proper info :birthday:

 

[Widdy]

No idea, but thanks for asking. Learn something new every day in this hobby. Did some digging, and it appears their coloration changes back to similar of females when left alone; however nothing concrete about the sex actually changing.

Another cause of color loss in some benthic and/or deepwater fishes may be light colored substrate or bright lights. Many fish change their coloration in response to their natural surroundings.

For example, shrimp gobies observed on black sand bottoms are more colorful than conspecifics living on lighter substrate. Likewise gobies taken from turbid mangrove areas are usually more brightly attired than members of their own species taken from clear reef habitats.

It may be that the color of some deepwater anthias become lighter when placed in a tank where the light levels are higher than those found in their natural habitat. Individuals collected under relatively low-light conditions may fade when moved to a brightly illuminated reef tank. Although this theory may explain why the color of certain deep water species, it would not hold true for those shallow water forms that are also known to lose their color. Another reason for color loss results from a change in social context.

For example, male fairy wrasses (Cirrhilabrus spp.) will often loss some of the chromatic characteristics, which are gender related, if conspecifics are not present. Color change that is associated with social conditions also occurs in captive anthias. Males may revert back to the female color form if they are kept on their own.

http://www.reefs.org/library/talklog/s_michael_030401.html

Also, thread on wrasse. http://www.reefcentral.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=13969751

Crud, sorry both sources referred to wrasses and not Anthias

 

[THEDLO]

I thought clowns can't change back, isn't that y they say to get one big one small, cause I you put 2 obviously female clowns together they kill each other.

 

[D1J8Z]

Thanks for the info Widdy.

 

[Widdy]

Thanks for the info Widdy.

You're welcome. I'm learning as we go too... Thanks for posing the topic/question.

I thought clowns can't change back, isn't that y they say to get one big one small, cause I you put 2 obviously female clowns together they kill each other.

Under the same impression as well. Maybe the folks at MOFIB can give us a better idea... lemme dig around some more.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Anthias can go from male to female. It's the worst when a great looking male starts to change back.

As for clowns, my understanding is that from juveniles they change to male and go in search of a female to share an anemone with. Once found the pair will adopt a third, but juvenile, clown. Should anything happen to the female, the male will mature and grow to take her place and the juvenile will become male and then they too will adopt a third juvenile. If anything happens to the male, the juvenile will become the male and so on. I believe the clowns go through both sexes as a progression but I've never heard or read anything suggesting a clown can go from female to male.

 

[jaa1456]

Clowns can go back and forth, Depending on the need to. And I don't believe all Anthias change sex. I remember reading that there are few species that are born male or female and they stay that way for life.