Trio of Anthias
- Thread starter justinky
- Start date
eatbreakfast
New member
I personally prefer the 1 male to 2 females as I lack the patience and uncertainty of how dynamic the male's color will become.
Are you ordering or seeing and buying? Problem here if ordering is you order 3 females but what you get is 1 true female and 2 female/juvenile sub males then those 2 the sub males fight it out as they change and then your left with a male and a female. From experience make sure your getting a dominant male and 2 females or it is just a battle of attrition.
CedzAquAddictio
New member
Get 3 females as young as you can. One will change to male. Just be forewarned that a female in transition to a male will be an absolute butthole to the females until the transition is done. After that, just minor aggression towards the females to keep them from transitioning. It's actually fascinating to witness, and the male will do mating dances daily with the females...
I agree. If you have a large enough tank to have a large group, you will likely end up with two males, each of which will herd "his" females. The social interaction is pretty fascinating.
CedzAquAddictio
New member
Steve has a good point. Just make sure your tank is large enough as he stated. That's important. If it's too small, the males will likely fight eachother...
I always post this link to anybody asking about multiple anthias. It's a long read, but well worth it. I read it before getting my anthias in my previous tank...
http://aquarium-fish.liveaquaria.co...t1:articles&isort=score&method=and&ts=results
I always post this link to anybody asking about multiple anthias. It's a long read, but well worth it. I read it before getting my anthias in my previous tank...
http://aquarium-fish.liveaquaria.co...t1:articles&isort=score&method=and&ts=results
I say get 3 small females and have the pleasure of watching one change. It's very cool. I got to see it twice 
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=972936&highlight=sex+change+record
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=972936&highlight=sex+change+record
justinky
New member
So after reading the article I am wondering if a 76G tank will be big enough to house 3 lyretails. Also if I still get Anthias I will order from my LFS, see what they got in and then buy if it was what I wanted.
If Lyretails will not work in my 76, will Carberryi Anthias (Nemanthias carberryi)?
If Lyretails will not work in my 76, will Carberryi Anthias (Nemanthias carberryi)?
I have been eyeballing a trio of bimac females at my LFS. Probably bought by now, and I know they can get big also, by anyone have hands-on experience with these anthias? Ones I saw were absolutely stunning - maybe a fish where the females are actually nicer than the males.
CedzAquAddictio
New member
justinky: I did a QT regimen in a 55g tank with a trio of lyertails a year or so back. They survived, but could definitely benefit with more space. I don't doubt that they would've appreciated more that 20 additional gallons. They are very active swimmers...
You bring up a good point, and good on ya for taking it into consideration... I'd consider a smaller species of anthias like the dispar. I am not absolutely sure, but I believe they are just slightly less active and less aggressive than the lyertail...
Best of luck...
You bring up a good point, and good on ya for taking it into consideration... I'd consider a smaller species of anthias like the dispar. I am not absolutely sure, but I believe they are just slightly less active and less aggressive than the lyertail...
Best of luck...
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gsiegel
New member
Yes - lyretails are very active swimmers and need some space. I am on the side of getting 3 smaller female lyretails although that is based on my positive experience I have with my girls so far. Very easy and colorful fish that certainly add to the character of my tank.
Another anthias which I have a single and is not a very active swimmer, but is a cool looking fish IMO is a fathead sunburst (see photo)
Another anthias which I have a single and is not a very active swimmer, but is a cool looking fish IMO is a fathead sunburst (see photo)
justinky
New member
According to Liveaquaria they only get 3 inches at max size, require 70 gallon vs. 120 gallon tank? :hmm3:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+20+1553&pcatid=1553
Thanks, I love a lot of bigger fish but unlike most I don't want to put them in a smaller tank just because I want them. My favorite fish is probably a Achilles Tang and I wouldn't keep one in my tank if it was given to me, maybe until it outgrew it if it was smaller
but I would have to get rid of it pretty fast.
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Look them up on fishbase... carberryi get bigger.
I went with the Lyre-tails from Fiji on Liveaquaria. I got some awesome specimens. I did 3 medium females and 1 male. (The price was my deciding factor. I get a larger fish and spend less.)
I wish i could have done small females but they were sold out. I think either way is fine. My male is super shy while all the females arent. I wanted a dominant male to keep em in line from the start.
I wish i could have done small females but they were sold out. I think either way is fine. My male is super shy while all the females arent. I wanted a dominant male to keep em in line from the start.
