Anyone know whats wrong with my Anthias

[chrisgold]

Bought 2 the other day from lfs one slightly bigger than the other at first both were fine. But today one seems to be changing colour and ideas i will post pics could it be that its changing sex?

first 2 pictures are the fish im concerned about and last 3 are the other

 

[fishguy242]

@vetteguy53081 ??

 

[Crabby48]

Looks like stress colors to me. Anyone beating or chasing her

 

[vetteguy53081]

Although most anthias are a hermaphroditic species and in the absence of a dominant male, the dominant female of the group morphs into a male to take its place, there can be other factors causing this such as :
Lack of proper nutrition
Lack of mate (just all males)
Stress of not having enough hiding spots
Stress inducing tank mates
Temperature. (For example, deep water fish are used to cooler waters)

Therefore if you purchase a group and place them in your tank if there is not a male present the most dominant female will become the male. the Blotched bournious Anthias prefers to occupy the lower parts of the tank. To best replicate its' natural environment, add plenty of live rock and caves for the Borbonius Anthias to seek refuge. Be sure to maintain open areas and plenty of surface area for proper water oxygenation. An environment with low to moderate lighting conditions is ideal for the Borbonius Anthias, but these fishes adapt well to more intense lighting utilized in many reef type aquariums.
They are a hardy fish, and should be fed a diet of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched frozen brine shrimp, and over time may eat high-quality flake foods offered in small quantities throughout the day. LRS fish frenzy and small plankton also good.

 

[chrisgold]

Looks like stress colors to me. Anyone beating or chasing her

Yes other one is chasing it about abit any idea why this could be?
Also out of the 3 times a day i feed my tank that guy ony eats once twice most?

 

[chrisgold]

Although most anthias are a hermaphroditic species and in the absence of a dominant male, the dominant female of the group morphs into a male to take its place, there can be other factors causing this such as :
Lack of proper nutrition
Lack of mate (just all males)
Stress of not having enough hiding spots
Stress inducing tank mates
Temperature. (For example, deep water fish are used to cooler waters)

Therefore if you purchase a group and place them in your tank if there is not a male present the most dominant female will become the male. the Blotched bournious Anthias prefers to occupy the lower parts of the tank. To best replicate its' natural environment, add plenty of live rock and caves for the Borbonius Anthias to seek refuge. Be sure to maintain open areas and plenty of surface area for proper water oxygenation. An environment with low to moderate lighting conditions is ideal for the Borbonius Anthias, but these fishes adapt well to more intense lighting utilized in many reef type aquariums.
They are a hardy fish, and should be fed a diet of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched frozen brine shrimp, and over time may eat high-quality flake foods offered in small quantities throughout the day. LRS fish frenzy and small plankton also good.

Yes thats what I thought might be happening . What temp would you say they like my tank runs at 25.9. I feed mysis and flake food. So what is your verdict on this ill or morphing into male?

 

[Twoddler]

Mine did nt look like that when she became he, and always better to have more than 2, spreads aggression, I have 5 and no problems

 

[Crabby48]

Yes other one is chasing it about abit any idea why this could be?
Also out of the 3 times a day i feed my tank that guy ony eats once twice most?

I will let vetteguy help you as he is way more knowledgeable. His post couldn’t have been better written.

For me if a fish is getting bullied and it’s really stressed I remove one. Bully preferred. It has ended badly for me so now play it safe.

 

[chrisgold]

Mine did nt look like that when she became he, and always better to have more than 2, spreads aggression, I have 5 and no problems

Aye in looking back i wish id bought more now

 

[chrisgold]

Although most anthias are a hermaphroditic species and in the absence of a dominant male, the dominant female of the group morphs into a male to take its place, there can be other factors causing this such as :
Lack of proper nutrition
Lack of mate (just all males)
Stress of not having enough hiding spots
Stress inducing tank mates
Temperature. (For example, deep water fish are used to cooler waters)

Therefore if you purchase a group and place them in your tank if there is not a male present the most dominant female will become the male. the Blotched bournious Anthias prefers to occupy the lower parts of the tank. To best replicate its' natural environment, add plenty of live rock and caves for the Borbonius Anthias to seek refuge. Be sure to maintain open areas and plenty of surface area for proper water oxygenation. An environment with low to moderate lighting conditions is ideal for the Borbonius Anthias, but these fishes adapt well to more intense lighting utilized in many reef type aquariums.
They are a hardy fish, and should be fed a diet of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched frozen brine shrimp, and over time may eat high-quality flake foods offered in small quantities throughout the day. LRS fish frenzy and small plankton also good.

Do you think adding more would solve the problem?