Cirrhilabrus scottorum Identity crisis

Brad Johnson · 10-15-2001, 02:58 PM

All,

I have 2 Cirrhilabrus scottorum - Scott's Fairy Wrasse and have run into the almost complete loss of color problem. I originally bought 2 so that 1 would change to the female coloring and maybe give me a shot at keeping the male coloring. Well there was absolutely no fighting for dominance. The larger of the 2 stayed with his male coloring and the other smaller one (about 1/2 the size) started changing almost immediately.

Now we are a couple months down the road and the dominent male has slowly lost his coloring and now is nearly the color pattern of a female. Actually less striking than the female. He doesn't have much of a purple hue to him, just VERY dark. I can still make out a little of the red square on his side.

I feed almost every form of frozen food available, so can't think of anything on the nutrition front. However I do not soak the food in any vitamins, etc. Have never been a big fan of this.

Simple question to this long drawn out post is, has anyone kept a Scott's coloring long term?? What did you do, and any suggestions on changing the sex of one of my Scott's back to male. Thanks for the help.

--Brad

Spanky · 10-15-2001, 05:55 PM

Brad,

I'm not familiar with Scott's Fairy Wrasse, but I am familiar with protogynous hermaphrodites.

With some of our Caribbean wrasses, if the terminal male is not feeling the need to display, he will not color up. Also, in a short period of time, they can also loose a lot of the terminal coloration because of this.

You will either need to add more juvs/females, swap yours for a younger one.

Jerel

Brad Johnson · 10-18-2001, 11:57 AM

Jerel,

Thanks. Kinda Catch22. Don't want to really add any more fish, and don't think the market is too strong for Female Cirrhilabrus scottorums. Suppose I could wine really loud to the LFS I bought it from and see if they would help me out. Thanks for the suggestion. I have yet to find someone who has been succesful with this topic.

--Brad

Wrasse Man · 10-18-2001, 12:05 PM

I would agree with landescaper. My understanding of these guys is that in order to have good coloration in the dominant male/super male, you would need to have a harem for him. If the female that is in the tank now is not receptive to his advances, there is no need for him to color up and flirt. Having more than one female for him increases the chances that he will show-off. You could make a wonderful display tank with a scholl of Scott's, like some people are doing with larger tanks and Anthias.

HTH

dbman · 10-18-2001, 01:21 PM

That's a pricey school of fish though.

Wrasse Man · 10-18-2001, 02:05 PM

Agreed, but it would be cool wouldn't it?

Spanky · 10-19-2001, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wrasse Man
you would need to have a harem for him. If the female that is in the tank now is not receptive to his advances, there is no need for him to color up and flirt. Having more than one female for him increases the chances that he will show-off. .

That's it exactly.