Adding anthias question

WisconsinReefing · May 2, 2020

I have a 180 gallon 6’ long tank.
I have 4 bartletts anthias in there now, and they’ve been there for about a month. I’m looking to add 3 more. Is that ok to do? The 3 new ones are pretty small. I’m not certain if one of my existing 4 is a male / leader yet, but one is noticeably larger than the others.
Thanks!

Idoc · May 2, 2020

Can you put the new ones in an acclimation box for a day or two and see how the others react? A 180g tank has a lot of room so that helps with allowing the new ones to find shelter.

Uncle99 · May 2, 2020

It’s a big tank, I think that’s Ok but the hierchy may change.

WisconsinReefing · May 4, 2020

Idoc said:
Can you put the new ones in an acclimation box for a day or two and see how the others react? A 180g tank has a lot of room so that helps with allowing the new ones to find shelter.

Yes I do. I will do that. Thanks for the advice

WisconsinReefing · May 4, 2020

Uncle99 said:
It’s a big tank, I think that’s Ok but the hierchy may change.

I’m hoping not. One in there is significantly larger than the rest, or the new ones

plankton · May 4, 2020

I had 1 male and 4 female in a 210G tank once and it is amazing to see the male color up like crazy and grow long ventral fins as it tries to keep its harem together. As you know even if you put all females in the tank one will become dominate and change to male. I'm really not sure what would happen if you add more females there might be risk of the smaller females getting picked on by the larger females and/or starved for food. I'm sure it will be impressive deplay no matter what.

WisconsinReefing · May 4, 2020

plankton said:
I had 1 male and 4 female in a 210G tank once and it is amazing to see the male color up like crazy and grow long ventral fins as it tries to keep its harem together. As you know even if you put all females in the tank one will become dominate and change to male. I'm really not sure what would happen if you add more females there might be risk of the smaller females getting picked on by the larger females and/or starved for food. I'm sure it will be impressive deplay no matter what.

Thanks for the feedback. That was my worry as the 3 potential new adds are noticeably smaller than any of the ones in there.