How many Lyretails to add as a group ??

[Froggy]

I want to add several all female Lyrtails to my 120 and let the dominant fish take on the male role. How many should I add to make a small harem? I was thinking 3 females. Would 4 work better?

Current tank mates. Hippo, Kole, Foxface, Maroon clown, and a Hawkfish.

Thank you in advance for the input.

Joe

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I have a 180 and have researched this fish and come to the conclusion that the more you have the more that the aggression will be distributed and no one fish will get abused. I recall Scott Micheal recommends a 180 or larger for a group of these fish and he likes a 7-8 to 1 ratio of females to males. I have seen several smaller tanks with fewer individuals and they seem to be doing OK. I saw a very nice 120 with 5 females and 1 male a while back. I think 4 would be better than 3 and 5 would be better yet.

 

[Saltfun2003]

Not to hijack your tread but kinda along a question you asked. I was going to be ordering a group of 5 or 6. Was wondering if it was better to order all females and let them decide or order 4 females and 1 male? Just afraid that one of the females might come in already changing any chance of this and what you guys think would be the better way to order?

 

[Froggy]

I have a 180 and have researched this fish and come to the conclusion that the more you have the more that the aggression will be distributed and no one fish will get abused. I recall Scott Micheal recommends a 180 or larger for a group of these fish and he likes a 7-8 to 1 ratio of females to males. I have seen several smaller tanks with fewer individuals and they seem to be doing OK. I saw a very nice 120 with 5 females and 1 male a while back. I think 4 would be better than 3 and 5 would be better yet.

Oooooh.....I may not have the room to properly do this then eh ? Do you know how long the smaller groups looked to be successful in the smaller tanks? Thanks for the input

Joe

 

[Froggy]

Not to hijack your tread but kinda along a question you asked. I was going to be ordering a group of 5 or 6. Was wondering if it was better to order all females and let them decide or order 4 females and 1 male? Just afraid that one of the females might come in already changing any chance of this and what you guys think would be the better way to order?

I personally am thinking all females is the way to go and let nature decide which dominant fish will become the male of the group. My fear is also that adding a male with females could cause issues if one of the females is already making the switch.

Am I right in this thinking ?

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I personally am thinking all females is the way to go and let nature decide which dominant fish will become the male of the group.

That is what I would do. I'm noy sure how these fish do in a group long term, especially in a smaller tank. Have you thought about a smaller species like the Bartlett's? The lyretails are tough, hardy, and cheap, that is a good combination.

 

[Froggy]

That is what I would do. I'm noy sure how these fish do in a group long term, especially in a smaller tank. Have you thought about a smaller species like the Bartlett's? The lyretails are tough, hardy, and cheap, that is a good combination.

Thanks. Tough, hardy, and cheap sound like a great combination

I am also a fan of both the female and male coloration of Lyretails. I just think they are a beautiful and active fish. I may give 4 a try.

 

[SDguy]

Three or four would be fine, IME/O. Just get all small females.

 

[Froggy]

Three or four would be fine, IME/O. Just get all small females.

Thanks SDguy,

I am going to give 4 a try. If I rememeber correct, you have quite a bit of experience with Anthias in the home aquarium.

My local store just got a new shipment. 1 male and 3 females in a fresh shipment. I was going to go with all females but this is tempting. Would it be a mistake to buy the group now ? 1 male and 3 females that were just imported to the LFS last night ?

They are beautiful and ate Cyclops for me in the store already !

What do you think ?

 

[SDguy]

Well, I would first look at their size. Make sure the male is noticeably larger. Next, look at the females. Any dorsal spikes at all? Make sure they have none. BUT...even then, there is no guarantee that the male will be viewed as automatically dominant by all the females.

 

[Amoore311]

You should be fine in a 120.

I have a few now in my 180 and they kind of hover and swim around 1 rock pile and never go anywhere else. I would say they occupy maybe a 3 FT long section of the tank.

 

[Jasanden]

I purchased 5 for my 120. 1 male and 4 females. I lost 1 to flukes and one would not eat I believe because of the harrasment from the large male. Anyway I would get all females quarintine for a couple weeks and observe. Only treat when you see signs of illness. I have three left and love them. They love lots of flow and go all over my tank. My males colors a getting more intense everyday. Ive had them for almost a year. great fish.

 

[firethefish]

Purchased 1 male lyretail and 2 females for my 120g. The male jumped (learned the hard way,need to keep tank covered) leaving the 2 females. The largest female is in the process of changing to a male, it now has the dorsal spike. Great fish, lots of activity, would like to add a couple more but I will go with small females when I can find them.

 

[TellyFish]

I have had 3 females in my 90gal for about 6 months with minimal aggression so far. One is just beginning to show male coloration. They have been doing so well, I was considering adding one or two more. But I will probably just leave them be as not to disrupt the good streak.