3 lyretails going to kill each other or establishing dominance?

[CBehr]

I got three female lyretails last thursday and they don't seem to be making friends in the 20g QT tank. I've seen them stretching their mouths at each other and even locking mouths and spinning in circles.

Are they going to kill each other or just establishing dominance?

 

[SDguy]

Probably means they are already changing females. How large are they? Any dorsal spikes showing? Any slight spots showing on the pectoral fins? Color?

 

[CBehr]

Yes, I think one actually is changing to a male. Looks a bit different and I actually posted a poor picture of a spot on the tail fin not knowing what it was in the sick fish forum. Can't tell about the dorsal fin but I'll look closer tonight and see if I can get any better pics.

 

[NexDog]

All look female to me. But they change pretty quickly when there's no dominant male. Few weeks tops.

 

[805reef]

they are probably killing each other... i bought 5 lyretails, 1 female 4 males and all but 1 of each sex ended up dead in a few weeks. i posted about this here on RC and found many other people with the same results

 

[stunreefer]

The spots Peter is referring to is on the pectoral fins, not the caudal fin, and it's slight color change - your fish has a parasite.

i bought 5 lyretails, 1 female 4 males and all but 1 of each sex ended up dead in a few weeks. i posted about this here on RC and found many other people with the same results

Males will kill each other off, no doubt. Do you mean you bought four females and one male?

Best way to purchase these fish is small, healthy females, no dorsal spike seen at all. One will establish dominance and turn male.

 

[CBehr]

Any idea what type of parasite and more importantly what to treat it with?