Cirrhilabrus lubbocki (Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse)

[instantsquid]

Hi,

I bought two of these at the weekend - they're currently accompanying my Scribbed Angelfish in quarantine.
I have not been able to find any information on how to sex these fish - does anyone have any ideas?

Additionally, am I going to run into any problems if they are not a male/female pair? My main tank is 7'x2' with plenty of nooks and crannies in the rockwork for them to hide away (I understand they make a mucus cocoon at night to sleep in!)

Hints and tips gratefully received.

- Ian

[johnski]

dont know if it helps, but this site (http://fins.actwin.com/species/index.php?t=9&i=412) shows photos of the males

[instantsquid]

Thanks John - both of mine look similar to the top photograph. I don't know if the females are significantly different colour-wise, or if it's more subtle, such as tail shape, etc.

- Ian

[Wombat]

Aren't they like most wrasses starting out female and the dominant one changing sex to become a male?

[instantsquid]

That would be cool if that's the case - certainly other Cirrhilabrus wrasses exhibit this behaviour. The only worry would be if I've already got two males - they can't change back! I guess I'll just keep an eye on them - not too difficult in the quarantine tank.

- Ian

[instantsquid]

Just found this great article:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/hcs3/index.php

[Paul]

Just found this great article:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/hcs3/index.php

Nice link, thanks, i'm curently looking into the Cirrhilabrus species :)