Female Lyretail Anthias attacking new male and female

[ECU_Pirate]

We got a female lyretail anthias a few weeks ago and after debating about it for a while we brought home a second female and a male tonight. The existing female chased the new female under a rock and she hasn't come out yet. The male hid for maybe 15 minutes and then came out. The existing female has been chasing him all around the tank and it looks like she's trying to nip him. Is this normal behavior, or should I separate these fish? At this rate, I'm worried the new additions won't make it through the night.

 

[R1ant04]

They probably won’t, esp the new female. Acclimation box or multiples would probably have made situation better.

 

[ROB2005]

Lyretails are one the hardest anthias species to keep in an aquarium. I don't know the whole specifics but unless introduced as a group at one time, the dominant fish will establish a pecking order in which they will harass the lower tier fish until they stress out and die.

Then again, even if introduced as a group, there's no guarantee they will behave. Beautifully colored fish, just hard to keep long term because of their behavior.

 

[ECU_Pirate]

This morning the established female and the male were hovering together on one side of the tank. They looked content and it looked like she was nudging him not in an aggressive manner. Then she started chasing him through the rocks. I didn't see any nipping or signs of injuries on the male, so fingers crossed that she's starting to calm down. Maybe? I'm hopeful. No sign of the new female yet, but the lights are off and most of the other fish are in their nighttime spots so I'm not too concerned just yet.

 

[JohnnyHildo]

Lyretails are one the hardest anthias species to keep in an aquarium. I don't know the whole specifics but unless introduced as a group at one time, the dominant fish will establish a pecking order in which they will harass the lower tier fish until they stress out and die.

Then again, even if introduced as a group, there's no guarantee they will behave. Beautifully colored fish, just hard to keep long term because of their behavior.

i've never owned any anthia species but this pretty much corresponds with everything i've ever read about them. it's in their nature to constantly strive to be a dominant fish and because of that squabble until the pack is dissolved.

 

[ECU_Pirate]

This is my established female. Could she be in the process of turning into a male?

 

[ECU_Pirate]

Sorry for the large pic. That was my first time trying to upload one.

 

[Uncle99]

This behaviour is quite typical of this species
Very much like clowns as stated above should be introduced at one time
If the loser is not overly stressed out see if the aggression diminishes usuallly 2-3 females to a male

 

[ECU_Pirate]

If I'm able to get the male out, would an acclimation box help at this point?

 

[ECU_Pirate]

Here they are in a peaceful moment together.

 

[ECU_Pirate]

They probably won't, esp the new female. Acclimation box or multiples would probably have made situation better.

Well, you were right. The new female is dead. I found her body wedged head down in a hole of a rock. I guess the question now is whether to keep the male with the single, established female. She hasn't been chasing him nearly as much today, although the tomini tang has started.

He is swimming out in the open, eats well, and escapes quickly every time he's pursued. It looked like he even started to chase back at one point.

Has anyone reading this ever successfully kept one male and one female lyretail anthias? I'm hopeful, but if he keeps being bullied I'll definitely return him to the LFS.

 

[Uncle99]

Let them tell you!
I see no reason that the one of each is a problem.
Watch them carefully and separate only if the aggression is constant and is leading to the demise of one of them....then....reintroduce later...
If you add another now....it may end up the same way.
Work with the two you have.....

 

[ECU_Pirate]

Let them tell you!
I see no reason that the one of each is a problem.
Watch them carefully and separate only if the aggression is constant and is leading to the demise of one of them....then....reintroduce later...
If you add another now....it may end up the same way.
Work with the two you have.....

Thank you for the suggestions. I definitely won't be adding any more of this species, not with the aggression the female is showing. If it goes on, I'm definitely separating them and trying an acclimation box. I've learned my lesson on this one. The day we bought the first female we debated getting 2 females and a male. I wish we had just done it then instead of getting one and then trying to add more. I do wonder if the female has started to turn male. She was the lone anthias in my tank for 3 weeks.

 

[ROB2005]

On a side note, despite my best efforts, I lost the second of the pair of females I had with the male lyretail today. For now the male will be my sole anthias in the tank for the foreseeable future. He's eating well and fat, just unfortunate that there is great difficulty keeping a group of these in captivity. Oh well nature, you win again!

 

[Uncle99]

Every single one of us has been in the same situation at one time or another.
Sometimes the reasons elude us....what works for one and not another not necessarily has the reasons. You try, you learn, you try again....sometimes innocent looking fish have really bad attitudes.

 

[mako61]

i have 4 female lyretails anthias. One is a little bigger now and seems to be changing. She/He chases the other 3 sometimes. They dont seem to actually hurt each other. The 3 smaller ones dont hide as much anymore, they just swim away. I like the action they add to the tank and the striking color. This has been going on for 3+ months. I doubt the chasing will stop and seems to be "normal".

As a note I first got a group of 3 one died shortly after arriving and 1 later jumped to death. I got 3 more and all has been well for a while. If I lose another fish to jumping I may get a mesh lid. I resist because my wife doesn't like them and truthfully I dont either. Anthias are active fast swimmers, especially when chased.