Help - Anthias - I think I have two males

[clittrell]

I bought two Square Back Anthias in the fall and put them in a 110 gallon FLR tank. One was clearly male and one looked female. Everything has been fine since then. They eat well and are very active. Came in today after being gone for the weekend and the Male is clearly been picked on and the female is starting to have the male square spot on her side. I did not think the the sex change happened if there was already a male in the tank. What are your suggestions? I do not think I can have two males in tank, correct? How long do I have to remove one?

 

[sanchoy]

Squares can get pretty large. depending on how your rocks are setup one can hide for the time being.. but will constantly get picked on by the dominant male. I had the same thing happened with my lyretails. 5 females one male. one of the females ate like a pig and got bigger then the male. She changed into a male, and is now constantly kicking his but. The original male only has one eye, and his fins are always torn. Given this is in a 250 gallon still he has no where to hide.

 

[Monkeyfish]

One was clearly male and one looked female. Came in today after being gone for the weekend and the Male is clearly been picked on and the female is starting to have the male square spot on her side.

I've read of this happening quite a bit in home aquaria - there must be something environmentally that causes them to change from female to male. Maybe a lack of predators and an abundance of food?