Anthias ID please

Kworker · Jan 24, 2015

So I picked up 12 Anthias a bit back. While in QT I suspected two were a different species but didn't really analyze it too much since to the naked eye they are very similar in color. What's become more noticeable after being added to the display is their purple reddish dorsal and more slender body.

Let me know what you think it's ID is! I know I have Lyretails, I believe the other is Ignitus.

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ca1ore · Jan 24, 2015

Bottom one definitely a female Lyretails (squampinnis); upper looks more carberryi to me than igniitus.

Kworker · Jan 24, 2015

ca1ore said:
Bottom one definitely a female Lyretails (squampinnis); upper looks more carberryi to me than igniitus.

I could see that too.. I know these Lyretails are from Sri Lanka so Carberryi are from Maldives just southwest from there. I need to work on better pictures as well lol

eatbreakfast · Jan 24, 2015

The id of the anthias in question could be a female of either of the species listed above. The way to be able to tell the difference is that when the dorsal fin is raised carberryi's first 2 rays are seperate from the rest of the dorsal so it will look almost like two antennas before the dorsal.

Also dont be too tied to locality when it comes to Sri Lanka. There is sort of an ornamental fish hub there that will bring fish in from all over the world and resell them all over the world. I have seen direct shipment lists from Sri Lanka that offer Caribbean and Australian fish.

fragman4 · Jan 26, 2015

ca1ore said:
Bottom one definitely a female Lyretails (squampinnis); upper looks more carberryi to me than igniitus.

Def agree with this... How are they doing together? I am curious to hear about aggression.

Kworker · Jan 26, 2015

fragman4 said:
Def agree with this... How are they doing together? I am curious to hear about aggression.

Doing great! I got them direct so all 12 went directly from box and bag to QT for 3 weeks and all made it through to the 180 and swim around together. There's just the occasional picking going on amongst all of them, seems they're just establishing a pecking order. Even the male just made the transition from female and has not changed color yet.