Help with Anthias

[Whystler]

:hmm3:

So i decided on lyretail anthias for my 125g. I ordered them from LA. They just arrived and i got them in the 20G Long QT with some LR and PVC tube.

I ordered 3 females and 1 male.

I have
1x Super HUGE male over 5 inches and deep purple.
1x small 3 inch orange/gold obvious female.
2x medium 4 inch reddish/orange(More red) with a slightly taller dorsal fin in the front. The look a lot like regular pictures of males that you see online.

My question is will the ones that appear to be transitioning turn back to female with/if the large male dominates? or am i screwed and its going to be war?

The small female has holed up deep in the live-rock with the huge male. They are hiding and don't wanna be seen.

The other 2 are a little more brave coming in and out of the pvc pipe and swimming together, but not going near the rock with the other 2.

What should i do? just keep QT and see how they fair or ????

:worried:

 

[Whystler]

This is what the small female looks like:

This is what the large male looks like:

This is what the 2 in question look like maybe a little redder:

Will take a picture of em once i get the lights on. Want to leave em out for a couple hours and slowly light it up.

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

I believe that once a female has started the transition to male, they will not transition back to female. This is my experience, anyway...

 

[Whystler]

UPDATE:
They were all out swimming when i went to check on them. The male is definitely HUGE and in charge. They all follow him around the tank and he keeps them out of his rock. If one tries to go in he quickly chases her out.

He is at least 2 Inches bigger then the biggest female.

The girls have a reddish tint on the top but in contrast to him they are not purple.

The only issue I have is the slightly enlarged dorsal fin the largest female has. The other females don't have that but are similar colors. The small female must have been stressed from shipping because her colors are now similar to the other females just smaller.

When I get close to the tank the Male hides in his rocks and the girls just watch me.

 

[Whystler]

They all ate frozen mysis very well. The large male ate the least because he is very skid-dish with me around the tank if i leave the room its another story.

They are beautiful and appear very healthy! The QT tank is way too small for em... Heck I think my 125 DT will be borderline for a group of 4. They will be the biggest fish in there though and the "showpiece".

I think i will just let nature sort it out between the possible transition female and the male. I do still have 13 days left on my LA guarantee and a trio will still work in the end.

:beer: