Anthias Transition

Red_Beard · Dec 23, 2020

Holy cow! I knew one would eventually turn male but had no idea it would happen that quick! About 2 weeks after bringing it home it started getting dark spots on the fins and now, after about 2 months:

Side by side for a color contrast as it is now way more purple than orange.

(Dont mind the heater. I was messing with plumbing and moved it up from the sump temporarily)

What has been your experience with these? Is that about normal? How long does it usually take to get full male coloration after starting?

don_chuwish · Dec 25, 2020

It’s pretty quick - mine sorted themselves out and one changed before they got out of QT. Fascinating to watch.

Red_Beard · Dec 25, 2020

don_chuwish said:
It’s pretty quick - mine sorted themselves out and one changed before they got out of QT. Fascinating to watch.

Dang, that is quick! And you are right, that has been and continues to be fascinating. I was worried there would be way more fighting than there was between them while they sorted out who was boss but the one that turned male only picked on the other for a few days. Now they swim together a lot and i only see the male chase the female off once a day or so and they are right back to swimming together.
Definitely want to pick up one or two different species of anthia, maybe a bartletts and a evansi.