Lyretail Anthias

[mfinn]

I am considering getting some anthias for my 233 reef.
After doing some reading, it looks like the lyretail's are a nice first anthias to try.
I wanted to get 3-4 females and 1 male.
But I've read a couple times that some males can be absolute buttholes and kill any female that is close in size.
So would I be better off just getting 4-5 females and let them decide?
My q-tank is only a 30 gallon tank. Is this big enough for 4-5 anthias for 5-6 weeks?

 

[SDguy]

I am considering getting some anthias for my 233 reef.
After doing some reading, it looks like the lyretail's are a nice first anthias to try.
I wanted to get 3-4 females and 1 male.
But I've read a couple times that some males can be absolute buttholes and kill any female that is close in size.
So would I be better off just getting 4-5 females and let them decide?
My q-tank is only a 30 gallon tank. Is this big enough for 4-5 anthias for 5-6 weeks?

IMO, people have issues for two main reasons. Either they have unhealthy females, or they have transitioning females. Either will elicit aggression from at least the male, if not other females as well. I always kept a male with females and never had an issue with aggression. Any females added to the original group were very small, to be sure they were "completely" female

I would just get all small females, and let them work it out.

Your QT size is fine.

 

[mfinn]

I would just get all small females, and let them work it out.

Your QT size is fine.

Sounds like I have a plan.
Thanks

 

[hobbzz]

I would get all females. And yes that tank size I fine. I had 9 in a 40b qt.

I would also look into some other anthias. When my wife and I move I'm removing mine and going with something else. The males can be aggressive with other fish species sometimes (mine is, he killed a male dispar and chases other fish), and they don't stick together that often. My two dispar are inseparable, and just as colorful. I think I'm going to add more dispar, maybe some resplendent. I hear carberryi and ignitus are nice too.

 

[Triggerfish]

agreed get them small i tried a trio once and it didnt work out as mentioned female turning squared off with male and they both died.
currently have a dispar pair and they stay tight together, had three and one died when switching tanks. plan on getting 3 more.
not as colorful as the lyretails more of a duller orange.

 

[ca1ore]

I'm inclined to go with all females and let them work it out. I recently had 5 bimacs in a 30L QT and it was fine. Key with anthias is frequent feedings. There will always be somebody who claims long term sucess with a single daily feeding, but I never could keep them that way. 2-3 times per day minimum.

 

[mfinn]

I did order 5 small females from liveaquaria, and got them this morning.

Now I just need to find a auto feeder, once I can get them to eat pellets.

 

[Amoore311]

I had a similar experience to Peter above. In my 180 tank I had set up I started with 4 females and 1 male. 1 of these females changed to male as well. There was aggression between males but it was minimal. I then added 4 more small females, and finally another 4-6.

They all remained female aside from the original 2 males until i broke the tank down and sold everything off.

 

[OrionN]

I would get all females. The largest female will change to male in the mater of weeks. No need to get the more expensive male. My anthias. 6 of them in my 320 gl. There is minimal agression, never anything that would cause fin torn or any visible wound on the females. Don't get too many female, with to many female, the male may get running too hard to chase the female and may die from this. Also with too many females, some will change to male