Chris' Reef

Good to know. Their lighter eye color was throwing me off. I do believe they are the Coral Sea variant as mentioned. Here is where I found the different variants: Difference between the Coral Sea and Vanuatu Hooded Fairy Wrasse - Reef Central Online Community

 

The male was down in the sump at the LFS presumed dead until it was spotted one day..... it had better coloration in the display but I can't fully recall its original location, I want to say Coral Sea or Aussie but it may also be the Tanna Island variant from Vanuatu as from what I can tell and remember the red does flow down the body more then the typical Vanuatu Hooded's. With time and hopefully some better pics it will be cleared up tho. It doesn't help he isn't a super male either I am sure.

 

Not Vanuatu; they don't have the sharp cut-off on the red hood.

Ref. here: http://reefbuilders.com/2012/01/16/cirrhilabrus-nahackyi/

Which does make them via the Coral Sea.

 

Vanuatu has 2 variations, the normal Vanuatu variant which this one clearly isn't, and the Tanna Island Variant. I say there may be a possibility of it being the Tanna Island variant as to the eye it does have a bolder streak like the Tanna Island variant...... but it has the continued red in the body/ lacking the "hood" which is common with the Coral Sea/ Aussie variant. I do believe mine to be a younger male so I would believe it possible that it could be either one... but I have ruled out the typical Vanuatu variant due to the redder body and the appearance of a slightly bolder streak. Also, the Coral Sea/ Aussie Variant is the rarer variant of these beauties which makes it a little less likely....

Regardless of location I am very happy with them, they are beautiful and make a great addition of color and activity to the tank.

 

My money is on the Coral Sea And it is definitely a transitioning male. From the link I posted, here is a terminal male from the Coral Sea:

 

Well this are sure some beautiful fish Chris. Lots of color now.

 

You sure must be a gamblin man willin to put money on a fish from 2 or 3 poor pics of a fish in a new system for less then 24 hrs lol Being that it is still transitioning IMO I think anything is possible and in person it does appear that it will be losing some of the red through the body, if it will turn into the standard obvious "hood" or not I'm not certain but I wouldn't say for sure that it won't either by any means.

 

Thanks Will, I am definitely liking their color and the activity they provide the tank with for sure!

 

Well I think my pair of Hooded wrasses is turning into to males. They both seem to be "flashing" eachother quite a bit and the one that was supposed to be the female is starting to get more coloration in its tail, the dorsal fin is getting more coloration and its overall coloration is getting brighter/ bolder over the last couple days...... I don't have any new pics and won't be able to get any for a couple days but any thoughts on the likely hood of this?

 

Wait for Hunter to chime in. I hope thats not the case, but if it is i'll send you my address.