lyretail anthias

[bigworm175]

I have 4 female lyretail anthias. Does anyone have any idea how long or if ever the dominate one will turn male?

 

[Sagaris]

It took mine about 6 weeks to change completely.

 

[bigworm175]

Thanks.

 

[Amoore311]

I would say it's a crap shoot really.

I started with a group of 4 in my 180. 1 Turned male in about 2 weeks.

I added 2 more, a second turned male a week later.

I added 4 more.... 1 of those turned male 3 months later.

So I have 10 in the tank now. 3 of which are male.

 

[mrmikeasaurus]

yah i had bad luck too.. i had 8 females couldnt find a male.. one turned then become super aggressive.. he killed 5 ..ended up giving him away and had 3 that stayed females

 

[SDguy]

I would say it's a crap shoot really.

I started with a group of 4 in my 180. 1 Turned male in about 2 weeks.

I added 2 more, a second turned male a week later.

I added 4 more.... 1 of those turned male 3 months later.

So I have 10 in the tank now. 3 of which are male.

So... what's the problem? Do they co-exist? *Assuming* you did not start with ANY specimens that were already beginning to change, IME lyretails change if there is room (socially/physically), not to oust and kill another.

 

[Apercula]

I had a male/2female trio. The male died in early October and the dominant female began changing in early December and had full male color pattern by the end of December. It took about another month for his color to fully develop.

 

[bigworm175]

Well, I guess I hope they don't kill each other :hmm2:. They hang out and occasionally chase each other. One of the more active ones has lost it's streamers due to the "scuffles" but is otherwise healthy and not at all hiding or anything. How common is it for them to kill each other?

 

[mrmikeasaurus]

the male that i had also chased around my flame angel, longnose hawkfish, and a mandarin until they died... think mine was just a ____ fish

 

[EnderG60]

I added a trio, male died. Larger female took 3 months to change to a male(never got really good color)

Added 5 more of them(1 male), male died and now I have 2 females, 1 large male and 3 small males all of which have drab male colors.

I have pretty much given up on these since all i really wanted was one or two nice males.