Do Anthias change sex?

[Western_reefer]

I got one male Anthias and its the only Anthias in the tank of the same kind, will it change sex and turn into a female if its a male?

 

[lilalove]

I think how it works is...males stay males. If he dies then the dominant female will change into male. But I don't believe the males can change back.

 

[Phantom Phish]

What if you were to add 2 or more females, and no males? Would one of the females change to a male?

 

[reef_doug]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15398535#post15398535 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Phantom Phish
What if you were to add 2 or more females, and no males? Would one of the females change to a male?

Yes.

But once male, always male. If you have two or more males one will be dominate but squabbles may still continue.

 

[Western_reefer]

Oh, ok. Thanks for the info/help everyone!!

 

[Phantom Phish]

Thanks guys.
I would like to get a few Lyretail anthias, but I kinda like the females better than the males. I'd thought about just getting a few females and no males, but since one of them would change, I guess I might as well get one male also.
I apologize for highjacking, but I was wondering if there is a minimum number of females you should get for one male? i.e., if I got 1 male and 1 or 2 females, would they get along reasonably well?

 

[blface]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15398887#post15398887 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reef_doug
Yes.

But once male, always male. If you have two or more males one will be dominate but squabbles may still continue.

This is not true. I have seen many male squarespot anthias, Pseudanthias pleurotaenia, revert back to female when they are the only anthias in the tank.

 

[Argentiner]

I had a male and female squarespot, the male died, and the female is very slowly changing to a male. You can just see the start of the purple square on her side. The bottom fins are all colouring up like a male.

 

[TP123]

Thanks guys.
I would like to get a few Lyretail anthias, but I kinda like the females better than the males. I'd thought about just getting a few females and no males, but since one of them would change, I guess I might as well get one male also.
I apologize for highjacking, but I was wondering if there is a minimum number of females you should get for one male? i.e., if I got 1 male and 1 or 2 females, would they get along reasonably well?

Just get all females, and let nature sort it out. They're cheaper and then you're sure the most dominate one will be the female. The change is also interesting to watch as well.

 

[NCSUsalt]

This is not true. I have seen many male squarespot anthias, Pseudanthias pleurotaenia, revert back to female when they are the only anthias in the tank.

i've seen male fish (anthias, and genicanthus) lose their male coloration or at least have it greatly diminished. but they're are still technically "male" just no need to sport and show off those fancy colors w/o a reason around. they'll usually color back up if a female is added.

 

[anbosu]

Thanks guys.
I would like to get a few Lyretail anthias, but I kinda like the females better than the males. I'd thought about just getting a few females and no males, but since one of them would change, I guess I might as well get one male also.
I apologize for highjacking, but I was wondering if there is a minimum number of females you should get for one male? i.e., if I got 1 male and 1 or 2 females, would they get along reasonably well?

As someone else mentioned, I would just buy all females since some of them could be in the process of changing already, etc.