Wrasse ID??

paulallen · 03/30/2006, 09:40 AM

I got this wrasse about 5 months ago from the local fish store. I liked his color. If have looked all over the web and in different books and I can not make an ID on this wrasse. I have found some that have the same shape, but not the same color. I have found some with similar colors, but no where near the same shape. If anyone could help me out I would appreciate it.

afishyonados · 03/30/2006, 09:51 AM

These are sold to me as Tri color fairy wrasses. Don't know the scientific name though.

paulallen · 03/30/2006, 10:05 AM

This is the thing though, it's not even shaped like the fairy wrasses.

RichConley · 03/30/2006, 10:15 AM

Its definitely a fairy wrasse.

Tricolor wrasses (or whats generally sold as them) are Cirrihablus Solarensis, and its definitely not that.

That being said, the cyanopleura complex (which solarensis is a member of) has about 4 species that crossbreed, and a ton of different color variations.

Now that I look at it, the pattern is similar to a solar, the colors are just wrong...maybe a funny color morph.

RichConley · 03/30/2006, 10:17 AM

I think its a lubboks

Cirrhilabrus lubbocki

DO a google images search on that, and theres a couple that are perfect.

I've now edited this post 37 times

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/covers19.htm
look far right, first row. THats your fish I'm pretty sure.

paulallen · 03/30/2006, 10:22 AM

dumb post? Anyway it's shape is a lot closer to the solar wrasses but the head is shaped very differently and the colors are no where near the same. If some species of wrasses can cross-breed, then that might be what it is. Thanks for the help, sucks there is no definate answer. I have never seen another fish like this one, in a book, the web, or at a LFS.

paulallen · 03/30/2006, 10:23 AM

Thank you so much Rich, that is definately it.

RichConley · 03/30/2006, 10:24 AM

Got any other fairy wrasses? I <3 mine (exquisite, and cyanopleura)

paulallen · 03/30/2006, 10:29 AM

This is the only wrasse I have. I thought multiple wrasses that are similar was a no-no. I have a 75 gal. already stocked with a powder blue tang, flame angel, orchid dottyback, goldstriped maroon clown, a lawnmower blenny, and this wrasse, along with an asortment of corals and a BTA. I wasn't really going to go with anymore fish.

03/30/2006, 09:40 AM	#1
paulallen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 344	Wrasse ID?? I got this wrasse about 5 months ago from the local fish store. I liked his color. If have looked all over the web and in different books and I can not make an ID on this wrasse. I have found some that have the same shape, but not the same color. I have found some with similar colors, but no where near the same shape. If anyone could help me out I would appreciate it.

03/30/2006, 10:15 AM	#4
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	Its definitely a fairy wrasse. Tricolor wrasses (or whats generally sold as them) are Cirrihablus Solarensis, and its definitely not that. That being said, the cyanopleura complex (which solarensis is a member of) has about 4 species that crossbreed, and a ton of different color variations. Now that I look at it, the pattern is similar to a solar, the colors are just wrong...maybe a funny color morph. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

03/30/2006, 10:17 AM	#5
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	I think its a lubboks Cirrhilabrus lubbocki DO a google images search on that, and theres a couple that are perfect. I've now edited this post 37 times http://www.wetwebmedia.com/covers19.htm look far right, first row. THats your fish I'm pretty sure. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

03/30/2006, 10:24 AM	#8
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	Got any other fairy wrasses? I <3 mine (exquisite, and cyanopleura) __________________ NO TANKS!!!

03/30/2006, 09:51 AM	#2
afishyonados Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sumter, SC Posts: 459	These are sold to me as Tri color fairy wrasses. Don't know the scientific name though.

03/30/2006, 10:05 AM	#3
paulallen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 344	This is the thing though, it's not even shaped like the fairy wrasses.

03/30/2006, 10:22 AM	#6
paulallen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 344	dumb post? Anyway it's shape is a lot closer to the solar wrasses but the head is shaped very differently and the colors are no where near the same. If some species of wrasses can cross-breed, then that might be what it is. Thanks for the help, sucks there is no definate answer. I have never seen another fish like this one, in a book, the web, or at a LFS.

03/30/2006, 10:23 AM	#7
paulallen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 344	Thank you so much Rich, that is definately it.

03/30/2006, 10:29 AM	#9
paulallen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 344	This is the only wrasse I have. I thought multiple wrasses that are similar was a no-no. I have a 75 gal. already stocked with a powder blue tang, flame angel, orchid dottyback, goldstriped maroon clown, a lawnmower blenny, and this wrasse, along with an asortment of corals and a BTA. I wasn't really going to go with anymore fish.