Multiple male anthias in group??

[RobynT]

I am buying some fish from a reefer that is getting out of the hobby for now. I am setting up a 210 gallon and thought this was a great opportunity to get some fish that I was going to order and buy anyway. The person has a group of anthias, 3 males and 4 females in a 90 gallon and says they have been together for 5 months with no aggression. I have thought that you should only have one male and two or three females, what do you think here? They are Lyretails (African). thanks for the input!

 

[AquaticFins]

They're probably still immature.

I wouldn't expect multiple sexually mature males to tolerate one another in that small of a group.

With ten or twenty females each and an extra zero or two on the tank size, sure...but very unlikely as is.

Another thing that makes me guess these are not yet mature is the size of the aquarium - a 90 gallon tank is quite small for a single adult lyretail anthias, much less seven of them.

 

[RobynT]

That's kind of what I thought. What would you suggest for a group in my 210? One male and how many females?

 

[LobsterMan]

I would put 1 male and 4 or 5 females.

 

[ozadars]

1 male and 7-8 females is much better. If you plan to keep dispar, you can even keep 2-3 males and 15-16 females. You tank is big enough for a big anthias harem.

 

[RobynT]

I'm going to see if he will sell me just one male with the 4 females. Do you forsee problems with the females or the male/female combination?

 

[nikon187]

my male has to keep one female in check all the time.. i have 1 male and 2 females in my tank ATM. Be prepared to feed!! My male will eat anything. He causes sandstorms chasing down big pods. He isn't full size 4 inch

your combo should be fine.. If they are for your 210 just pick some more females up at a later time if you want

 

[RobynT]

Thanks for the response everyone. I'm going to get one male and the four females. Hopefully they will be a happy group!