Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about wrasses and gobies, part 2.
What exactly is Part 2 of the Wrasses & Gobies Fan Encyclopedia?
It is the second volume of a community-written, non-commercial reference that catalogs species, behaviors, and care notes for the families Labridae (wrasses) and Gobiidae/Pogonophryne (gobies). Part 2 picks up where the first volume left off, covering mid-to-large wrasse species, territorial goby pairings, and a dedicated section on hybridization rumors in hobbyist circles.
Who are the main 'characters' fans keep asking about in Part 2?
The volume centers on a handful of well-known species—most prominently the mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus), the clown goby (Istigobius hoesei), and the wrasse known as the 'wrasse of death' (Hemigymnus plumieri). Each gets a multi-page profile with behavioral sketches, tank-compatibility notes, and a fan-voted 'notable encounter' log.
Where should a complete newcomer begin reading Part 2?
Start with the 'Orientation' chapter on page 1, which defines the two families, explains the color-change life stages of wrasses, and introduces the goby 'cleaning station' behavior. After that, the 'Glossary & Abbreviations' page saves you from decoding shorthand used throughout the species profiles.
What are the three key facts about wrasses that Part 2 emphasizes?
Wrasses are sequential hermaphrodites (nearly all change sex from female to male as they mature), they possess a specialized pharyngeal jaw used to crack prey, and their coloration shifts dramatically between juvenile, initial-phase, and terminal-phase life stages. The encyclopedia dedicates a full sidebar to the 'color-shift confusion' that trips up new aquarists.
What key facts does Part 2 highlight about gobies?
Gobies typically lack a swim bladder and rest on the substrate, many form long-term monogamous pairs, and some species (like the blenny-goby hybrids in the hobby) can be mistaken for wrasses at a glance. Part 2 includes a side-by-side 'tell-apart' chart comparing goby and small-wrasse anatomy.
What are the most notable 'moments' or events documented in Part 2?
The volume spotlights the 1987 rediscovery of a deep-water wrasse in the Coral Sea, the viral 2019 video of a mandarin pair's courtship dance, and the long-running hobbyist debate over whether certain 'goby' species are actually misidentified wrasse juveniles. Each event gets a timeline entry with sourced references.
How does Part 2 distinguish between wrasses and gobies for readers who mix them up?
A recurring 'Quick ID' box on every species page lists three diagnostic traits: body shape, jaw structure, and pelvic-fin fusion. The encyclopedia also runs a running 'Myth vs. Fact' column that corrects common hobbyist confusions, such as calling a goby a 'small wrasse.'
What makes this encyclopedia 'unofficial' rather than a scientific publication?
It is written and maintained by a volunteer forum community, relies on hobbyist observations alongside peer-reviewed literature, and openly flags entries where data is anecdotal or disputed. No institutional body endorses it, and corrections are crowdsourced through a public errata page.
Which species profiles in Part 2 are considered the 'fan favorites'?
The mandarinfish, the clown goby, and the large terminal-phase wrasse (often called 'the Admiral') consistently top the community's most-read pages. Each profile includes a fan-submitted photo gallery, a temperament rating, and a 'tankmate compatibility' score voted on by the forum.
How should I use Part 2 alongside Part 1 and other resources?
Part 1 covers taxonomy, basic care, and small species; Part 2 assumes you already know those fundamentals and dives into larger, more complex, or rarer species. The editors recommend keeping both volumes open side-by-side when planning a mixed wrasse-and-goby display tank.