My Anthias. What kind is it?

[flamehawkfish]

hi All

I've had this Anthias in my tank for about 5 months. It's about 3"-4" long, very active, and eats just about anything. It has orange/peach/yellow color, with blue/purple edges...

What kind is it? I thought maybe a Lyretail, or female Squareback? It was sold to me as 'Assorted Anthias'...

Please let me know.

Sorry about the lame pics... It gets skittish when I follow it around w' a camera!

 

[SDguy]

Very nice female squarespot anthias!

 

[flamehawkfish]

hi Peter

Thanks for your help. Is it possible to pair Squarespot Anthias? I believe that I read somewhere that they're schooling/pairing process is somewhat complex...

Thanks again,

Flamehawk.

 

[SDguy]

I had a pair in my very first reef. Isn't too hard, since they look so different. They get BIG though. Also, be careful, your female is starting to get some dorsal elongation...I sign of possible dominance/changing to male....

 

[CarlC]

Like Peter said that is a female squareback that is in the process of changing to male. If you should add more go with very young females. This will help avoid getting another that is changing.

I think you will run into problems if you keep them in a 44g. The ones I saw in the Philippines were huge! The males were easily pushing 6" and very stocky. The big females looked to be about 4".

Carl

 

[flamehawkfish]

hi Carl

Thanks for the advice. I actually upgraded my tank to a 95g wave-shaped reef. Nevertheless, my anthias still seems a bit cramped. I don't think my bio-load could handle a school of Anthias.

If it's really changing into a male, how long will the transformation take? Will it become pink and develop the signature square back? Just curious...

Thanks,

Flamehawk

 

[CarlC]

Can't be of much help. I have never kept the species. The hundred or so I saw in the wild were either already male or female.

Carl

 

[zemuron114]

squarespots actually do pretty well IME. I had a few males and females from the marshalls and they ate right away and weren't aggressive towards each other (5 in a 10 gallon tank)

collection is a huge issue with these guys not doing well. Try to find a specimen in perfect condition and make sure it is eating!