Outcast Anthias

[niter]

About two weeks ago, we stocked our tank with Anthias. While I was planning on an odd number, we ended up with 4 lyretails and 4 ignitus. We have one male (lyretail). The male lyretail was added prior to the rest--I know this is backwards but this is the way it worked out--and everything went well when all the fish were together. They all are quite peaceful together and have been over the course of the last two weeks--in fact they are as I type this, flocking over as a group to take turns in the cave with tonight's new addition, a scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp.

However, there is one hang up! One lone female lyretail has been outcast by the male from addition. She is hanging out in the caves, comes out for food, and keeps trying to blend in. He refuse to let her join. Tonight, I noticed her eye is missing. Will she ever be accepted? I am not sure we can catch the poor girl!

 

[CarlC]

Chances are she is not a she but a changing male. The dominant male will continue to beat on her if she is indeed changing.

 

[Mandragen]

if you can't get it out nature may take it's course on this one, and yes +1 on the changing part, because of the male addition at a later date.

 

[niter]

Thanks! I wondered if she arrived while in the process of changing into a male as well it seemed quite logical. Our current male was in the tank prior to her arrival and was not pleased with two of the female lyretails--though one was able to join the rest in less than a day. Interestingly, on of the ignitus seemed to be brighter than the rest and the male was not a fan of this one either (he did not chase it off, but seemed to pay it a bit more attention)...but after a weekend, they were all just fine and I cannot pick that one out from the other three.

She comes out to eat and then darts back into her cave. Hopefully IF (s)he was changing (s)he'll stop or change back!