Sexually Frustrated!!!

[CedzAquAddictio]

Alright experts...

I've had 2 female lyretail anthias in QT for about a month now whole my DT sits fallow. It became clear which femal was the dominant one, but, I hadn't noticed any transformation into a male. I ordered a male anthias to add to the collection to have a trio as I've read that males normally have a harem. Well, I arrive home today with my male anthias to see an extended dorsal fin on the dominant female. This is normally a sign that the female has begun transformation into a male, correct?

Well, I figure since the new fish is completely male, he will dominate the other two and the transforming female will convert back to female. I remove all of the PVC to remove some territorial ownership, I acclimate the male with the lights off, and let him into the tank after re-arranging the environment as I don't nave an acclimation ball on hand. After a couple of hours, I turn on the lights, and the transforming female starts savagely attacking the new male. I mean it is brutal...

Should I take the new male back, remove all anthias, and add them back at the same time, or what? This was kind of bad timing as I will be out of town for a couple of days and the lights and feeding will be operated by timer. I won't be here to turn off the lights when things get bad for the male.

Any advice? Thanks all!!!

 

[havoc79]

i would take him back and get a smaller female

 

[DustyReefer]

agreed, I foresee a bloody battle otherwise...

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

Thanks for your responses. So far, we have 2 votes for taking him back...

All lights are off now, and the fish are sleep. He finally gets some rest for the night. I'll observe them in the morning and check this thread for any updates.

If it gets ugly again in the morning like I expect, I'll throw him into my 10 gallon temp mantis tank until I get back from work and can return him if that is still the popular consensus.

Thanks all!!!

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

Any votes on selling the transforming female on consignment at the LFS and keeping the new male and submissive female as a pair?

 

[loup]

I would rather keep the transforming female knowing that its eating well and more well adjusted. Anthias as far as I know don't go back to female.

 

[SDguy]

Yup, they don't turn back to females. I'd return the male.

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

Got it. Thanks all. They are separated for now. It would've been ugly by the time I got home if I left them in the same tank without complete darkness.

I was able to catch the halfway transformed female (will be referred to as RuPaul from this point on) this morning and pull her out as the new male was in hiding and I couldn't find him. As soon as I pulled RuPaul out, I did notice the new male and submissive female immediately started getting along together as if they were old lovers re-united. It's like she was welcoming him home and showing him around the tank. She even got between RuPaul and him a couple of times last night like she was trying to break up the fight.

I think I may keep RuPaul in my mantis tank for about a week to see how things turn out with the new male and submissive female. If they continue to get along, I may move them to the DT together after the fallow period, and leave RuPaul in the mantis tank.

Thanks for all of your input. You all have definetely saved a male anthias's life. RuPaul wouldv'e killed him for sure...

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

Question: If RuPaul continues to be the only anthias in her tank, will she complete the transformation, or stay at the halfway point?

Thanks!!!

 

[SDguy]

RuPaul doesn't work as an analogy. Your fish is changing on the outside and inside... it's not just the wardrobe

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

True. I was just being silly.

 

[Reef Bass]

It was funny if not accurate.

So would Chaz Bono work better? Female to male. One could argue the hormones being taken are causing internal and external changes. There's a beard growing for example.

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

I think I like Chaz. LOL...

He/She seems to be holding the in between pattern in my mantis tank. Interested to see how things look in another week. My Male and female Anthias seem to be doing quite well in QT together...

 

[Reef1121]

Have had lyretails for a few years now and got 3 mac cert females about 4-5 months ago. It took a few months for one to even start the transformation to female. But now that the transformation is done and over with def worth the wait. The male is bright red/purple with a neon blue outline around its dorsal and tail and clear with red spots on its fins. And when he rounds up his females (and the 2 bartlett's anthias as well) he turns an intense purple color.

 

[ReefTeacher]

This is the reason I have only ever bought female anthias of any species. You will end up with a male sooner or later....just be patient. Plus they usually charge extra for a male so why bother? Just buy females and let nature take its course!