Lyretail anthias aggression

[airtime23]

I bought 3 Lyretails 2 weeks ago, one male and two females. They are currently in my QT. Eating well, look great.

The only issue is that the male is becoming aggressive towards the two females. Constantly chases them around,until they go and next to or around a piece of PVC. They basically cower when he comes around.

Is this normal behavior for Lyretails?

 

[ca1ore]

Yes. Lyretails and Hutchi are from the Franzia sub species and are very aggressive. I gave up on both years ago as I could never keep a stable population for very long. I have had much more success with Bartletts, Bimaculatus, Randall's, and Pleurotania (sp?). Lyretails would slowly pick off the lowest member of the group until I had one left, usually the male.

 

[airtime23]

Thanks for your reply, ca1ore.

Do you know of any other relatively "easy" anthias, in addition to those you listed?

 

[JoelA7]

ca1ore -- slight twist on thread but I have a male Hutchii and female lyretail and Resplendant. Slight chasing observed but not too bad. What is your opinion of long term success?

 

[ca1ore]

I never kept Hutchi and Lyretails together, so cannot say for sure. Given how closely related they are, it would not surprise me if ultimately your male H did in the female L, but maybe not. Resplendent are awesome, one of my favorites. Pretty easy to keep and not aggressive like the other two.

 

[ca1ore]

Thanks for your reply, ca1ore.

Do you know of any other relatively "easy" anthias, in addition to those you listed?

Yeah, none are easy but 'easy' .....

Of the large ones I have had long term success with the Square, Bimacs, Bartlett (a bit chippy), Pictilis ..... all need a big tank though (IMO 180 min if aspiring to a group). Of the smaller ones, carberryi, dispar, resplendent, Randall's are relatively easy. I would stay away from Evansi, Tuka, and Princess ... even if you can get them to eat, it's a battle to be able to feed them frequently enough to survive in a community tank. I'd love to try ventralis, but they really need a lower temp tank ..... and they're an expensive 'experiment'.

 

[JoelA7]

The photos don't do Resplendant justice either.

 

[JoelA7]

In fact - Resplendant is so gorgeous at this point I wish I'd got 3-4 of them instead of trying a mixed trio.

 

[ca1ore]

In fact - Resplendant is so gorgeous at this point I wish I'd got 3-4 of them instead of trying a mixed trio.

Ok, with comments like that you are morally obligated to provide a picture!! No resplendants chez moi, but five of these ....

 

[airtime23]

Thanks.

I think I'm going to try a group of resplendants. They'll ultimately be going into a 300 gallon mixed reef.

In terms of groups, should one stay with odd numbers or does it matter?

Should I buy all females and let one change to male or should I buy one male and the rest females?

 

[ca1ore]

I always buy groups of females, regardless of the species. Once you get beyond 3, I don't think even or odd makes all that much difference as any aggressions can be spread out.

 

[airtime23]

Great. Thanks again.

 

[JoelA7]

Lol ok tripod and camera coming out to try to get a photo.