Lyretail Anthias

[MuffsAbby]

Two quick (and likely dumb!) questions about Lyretail Anthias:

a) I keep reading that Lyretail Anthias are best kept in groups of 3. If possible, I would prefer to keep 2 rather than 3. Will this work or am I asking for trouble (i.e., should I really go with 3)?

b) I understand that if one starts with 2 females, the larger one will turn into a male. Is that correct...or is it just a case that 1 of the females might turn male over time (or might not)?

 

[Reefnub]

I have multiple species of Anthias mixed and I also have 2 lyretail in the mix. From what I see, the dominant of 2 is half male. He shows the male shape, a little bit of the color, and the top fin on the head. I think you need 3 for him to turn full male but everyone's experience are different, this is just mines. I will be putting a 3rd one when I find one.

 

[MIKE NY]

The reason I keep three in my experiance is because the males tend to harass the females more so than the other species of anthias I have...so with the two females it splits his attention so he's not constantly chasing and flashing the one.

 

[davocean]

The reason I keep three in my experiance is because the males tend to harass the females more so than the other species of anthias I have...so with the two females it splits his attention so he's not constantly chasing and flashing the one.

I agree w/ this, and most anthias being shy it helps to have them in groups, though lyretails seem quick to adapt.
Might get lucky w/ two, but I personally would have at least 3.

 

[snorvich]

The reason I keep three in my experiance is because the males tend to harass the females more so than the other species of anthias I have...so with the two females it splits his attention so he's not constantly chasing and flashing the one.

I agree for reasons given.

 

[MuffsAbby]

So, three it is, and I will just need to wait until I can source three. In the meantime, there are lot of other fish in the sea, so to speak! Thanks for the responses.

 

[jason2459]

To build on this line of questions. If one were to get 1 male and 2 females but then one female died. Would it be better to replace just the one or get 2-3 more to add at the same time to maybe spread out the aggression between the females?

 

[TACoraled]

To build on this line of questions. If one were to get 1 male and 2 females but then one female died. Would it be better to replace just the one or get 2-3 more to add at the same time to maybe spread out the aggression between the females?

Good question as I just had this happen. I had 1 trio from Divers Den for about 6 months and then one of the females decided to turn male. 2 males and 1 female wasn't good. The 'wuss' male ended up hiding and perishing one day so now I'm down to 1 of each and would like to know if I should get 2 more females or just 1 female.

 

[davocean]

I haven't really noticed any sort of aggression among females at all, so it probably doesn't matter much, and you could probably get away w/ just the one replacement, but if you have room I'd get 2 or more.
To me half the beauty of these guys is that swarm of color cruisin' around, so I'm w/ the more the merrier mindset.

 

[paddyob]

Two quick (and likely dumb!) questions about Lyretail Anthias:

a) I keep reading that Lyretail Anthias are best kept in groups of 3. If possible, I would prefer to keep 2 rather than 3. Will this work or am I asking for trouble (i.e., should I really go with 3)?

b) I understand that if one starts with 2 females, the larger one will turn into a male. Is that correct...or is it just a case that 1 of the females might turn male over time (or might not)?

A dominant female will turn into a male.

The group reason is because the male will bully the females.

I started with one male... two females. Now I have the male.

Go with one or many.

ALSO... Anthias are high maintenance fish. They need several feedings a day.

I installed an autofeeder on my tank and now I have had my male over a year.

Good luck.

 

[rogermccray]

So along these lines would three females with one male be even better?

 

[davocean]

So along these lines would three females with one male be even better?

That or just get all females and let one turn male.

 

[Bernie21]

I bought 3 females along time ago, the most dominant one would pick on he other two, but the weakest one was also picked on by the second female and eventually ended up dying. SO now I only have 2, a male like female (doesnt quite have full male coloration) and the 2nd female. I also want to add a 3rd female but do not know whether to add one (and possibly have the same result of being picked on by the 2 already there) or add 2 more females (but I really dont want to have 4 anthias)

 

[TACoraled]

I purchased a trio from Divers Den and all was great for 6 months and then one of the females decided the male was weak and turned to male. After about a month I had two males, one much larger than the original male, and one female. Shortly after the smaller original male perished since it was bullied leaving one male and one female.

I've since purchased two more females to hopefully disperse the aggression he's giving the single female.

Maybe it was just my luck, but I noticed the female which ultimately turned to male had a large first dorsal spine (characteristic of males). The other females I have do not have this so hopefully I'll have better luck now.

 

[davocean]

In my group of 5 I also have one full blown male and a sub male, and they do scuff a little, but so far it doesn't seem to be harmful, and been this way about a year now.

 

[Bernie21]

I purchased a trio from Divers Den and all was great for 6 months and then one of the females decided the male was weak and turned to male. After about a month I had two males, one much larger than the original male, and one female. Shortly after the smaller original male perished since it was bullied leaving one male and one female.

I've since purchased two more females to hopefully disperse the aggression he's giving the single female.

Maybe it was just my luck, but I noticed the female which ultimately turned to male had a large first dorsal spine (characteristic of males). The other females I have do not have this so hopefully I'll have better luck now.

How have the results been since the addition of the 2 new females? And how long ago did you add the new females?

 

[rogermccray]

That or just get all females and let one turn male.

That is my plan actually

I just have to decide if these are anthias that I want.

 

[TACoraled]

How have the results been since the addition of the 2 new females? And how long ago did you add the new females?

It's only been a few days so I cannot comment yet.

 

[launchnukes]

The reason I keep three in my experiance is because the males tend to harass the females more so than the other species of anthias I have...so with the two females it splits his attention so he's not constantly chasing and flashing the one.

i agree. i have 4, 1 male and 3 females and he tends to spread his attention equally. im sure he would drive one crazy.

 

[wayne_sreef]

I agree too. I add one male and 10 females in the 300g three weeks ago. So far I have not seen the male chases any of the female yet.