What does it mean to be Terminal Phase?

Hey guys, (evolved?? lol) I was looking at some wrasses...I can't believe the prices on some of them

Some of them had in "Terminal Phase" after their name. What does this mean? Is it that they are now fully adults? Does this mean they are basically getting old from then on?

After they reach this phase, what is their life expectancy? I would hate to buy one and lose it after a year or two from old age.

Lastly, is it better to buy a juvi or an adult?

 

Heh, yes, the more beautiful the species, the more rare, and the more expensive. Wrasse collecting isn't for the budget minded.

We really need to start at the beginning to answer your real question here...

All wrasses are born female. Wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning females transition to male in the wild as harem conditions and space require. Once a female beings to transition to male, they go through two primary phase, initial phase male and terminal phase male. And now those terms have probably been self-defined. At the terminal phase, a full transition has been completed and the fish is 100% male. Up until that point, they are in an initial phase. In a harem, they will only be one terminal phase male, which is essentially the alpha male. This is also what some people call a "super male". It's at this point, the coloration and pattern on the fish is the most vivid and vibrant. There often are other initial phase males in a harem, but they will not complete the transition unless the terminal male becomes absent. It is not impossible for an initial phase male to revert back to female in certain circumstances, but this is not the norm. However, as I've implied, the initial phase can be "paused" essentially, if need be. Therefore, the rate of transition is quite variable; it can last anywhere from a few days to a few months. The terms "initial phase" is sometimes substituted with "transitional phase". Also, most genera are sexually dichromatic, meaning there's a notable difference in color/pattern between the sexes. If you know your wrasses well, it's fairly easy to tell if they're female or male and in what state.

Life expectancy is extremely variable and depends on so many factors it's not really definable. A terminal male can be quite young, or quite old. There's no real telling. Size can be somewhat of an indicator, but even that's not absolute. However, if the maximum size of the species is 5" and you've found a terminal male that's 5.5", chance are it's somewhat old. In that sense, I'd rather have a terminal male that's more near to 4". But regardless, I wouldn't bank on a wrasse living past 5-6 years.

What you buy is personal preference. The best, most colorful specimens (terminal males) are most certainly older than smaller juvi's. However, a smaller juvi may never reach the coloration and beauty of a true terminal male in a closed system. What you choose in that trade-off is a personal decision.

(Why isn't this posted in my wrasses thread? )

 

Just learned something very valuable! That's really cool to know, thanks! k+
I didn't want to hijack your thread, so I made this one.
I wish the wrasses were not that expensive... i mean I saw one that was $1,300!
Someday I will be able to get some like that. Meanwhile I'll stick with cheaper ones LOL

Speaking of cheap ones, What do you think of the potter's Wrasse? How hard are they really to keep?

 

It's supply and demand, really. The most interesting ones are in the most demand, with the least amount of supply. There are a handful of species that are collected by only one or two divers in the world...

And as for the Mauritius flasher, there's only been a handful ever to reach the states. And the first of those were just last year in 2011. If the supply of those becomes regular, the price will dramatically drop. They're collected in small numbers and most end up in the Asian market.

A Potters wrasse is one of THE most difficult of all leopard wrasses; truly an expert only fish with a little bit of luck on your side... Once they're established in a tank, they're easy to keep. It's getting them established however that's difficult at best.

 

I figured. So far I have my eyes on getting a Mc Cosckers flasher Wrasse.
maybe a Fairy Wrasse for the tank im setting up at school.

Do you think those two are good picks?

 

Most likely, depends on what fairy you choose.

And I presume this tank is fully (and tightly) covered?

 

Size of the system too

I do love my Potter's wrasse... Had mine for 6 months now and it is still one of my favorite fish in the collection. If you think you have the ability to keep one, I would say it is worthwhile, but as stated, extremely hard to keep.

 

I never had issues with the potters I received from RHS. However My vrolicks killed it. That fish since then was finally pulled from the aquarium. My Ornate Leopard Wrasse that I currently have may not be as colorful as a potters. But he was pretty easy IMO. He eats anything that goes in the tank now.

 

It will most certainly will be LOL

 

Anyone besides me find the humor in going from female to male as being considered *terminal* LMAO!