1 or 2 bartlett's anthias? and QT question

[EthanHawaii]

When I was at my LFS today they said that 1 bartlett's anthia will most likely die and that 2 would be a much better choice? is this true or is one fine? And my QT is only 10 gallons and the bartlett's anthias they had were about 2-3" long so would two of them even work in a 10 gallon QT for a month or so? He also said that I could get any two of the bartlett's anthias and then one will turn into a male and the other a female, but what happens if they are both females? my question is can I really go and buy ANY two of them and they will pair up?


Thanks.

 

[Jeff4777]

I wouldn't say getting 1 Bartlett will result in likely death.. With Barletts, inter species aggression can get to be too much if multiple fish decide to try changing to males. This results in a lot of people ending up with 1 Bartlett anyways. While not always the case the pecking order is pretty obvious, more so than other species of Anthias.

Personally I have 3 Bartletts that have been doing great. They eat everything I throw in and while their social hierarchy is obvious, I don't see signs of one getting picked off right now.

A 10 gallon is better than no QT I'd say. Used 19 gallons of water in containers on mine to do TTM with, including prazi treatment and a formalin bath in 3 gallons of water..

Getting all females is fine and preferred by most.

 

[SaltyDoug]

I believe its best to get 3 so the males agression is split between the 2 females.

As long as you get all females they will sort out who is the boss and that one will turn male. However Bartlett are known for having a second one turn male without warning.

I had a trio and am now down to 2. The male managed to escape from my temportary screen i had clipped on to my tank. I believe it was in part because the 2nd in command started to change to a male.

 

[EthanHawaii]

Ok well I think I might just go wth cardinal fish because each anthia is $80! so if I were to get 3 that would coast $240 and if one were to die I would have to get anthia so this could coast $360!

Thank you for your replies!

 

[SaltyDoug]

They come up a couple times a month on divers den at 150 per trio

Edit: oops just noticed your not in there territory sorry

 

[falconut]

My single Bartlett is doing fine, probably a female. She's in with a single Male Lyretail and there's no issues between them. The two are always out and visible.