Bimac / Lyretail Compatibility

[ReeferBean]

Anyone have experience mixing Bimac Anthias with Lyretail Anthias?

I have 4 Bimacs and 1 Sunset, wondering if I could add say 7 Lyretails and do you think they would get along?

 

[Old Fritz]

Most people say lyretails in groups is a bit iffy. Ive only kept individual, but from what I've seen from friends and on other forums is sometimes you get a really aggressive male that slowly kills off the rest of your anthias. When all the anthias are added at the same time ive heard of more success stories. Lyretails are by far the most aggressive. However i have heard of people keeping them with other species of anthias with a lot of success. And since your bimacs are already established i doubt the lyretails will go at it with your bimacs, but you should see a bit of fighting for a bit between the males.

I say go for it

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I’ve kept them mixed in the past and currently doing it again with a different group. No issues. You should only have one male across all species (not a male of each).

 

[ReeferBean]

Thanks guys. I may order 9 small lyretails. Of my current Bimacs, one has a spot forming on its dorsal fin indicating its trying to change to male. He does keep the females in check but nothing crazy.

Anyone else have experience?

 

[OGFrenchHorn]

I currently have 4 lyretails and 4 bartlett's with no issues. They e been together for about a year and a half

 

[ReeferBean]

I currently have 4 lyretails and 4 bartlett's with no issues. They e been together for about a year and a half

Hey! Nice I’m going to release the rest of the bimacs and the sunset later tonight after lights out. Get the qt tanks ready.

Here is the bimac that’s changing. Dark red spot on the fin and a little color on the edges of the other fins but my photos are terrible.

 

[EakTheFreak]

Interesting thread here. I actually have what started as 4 female Lyretails at 5 weeks QT with 1 final week of observation left. The issue is 1 of the 4 is turning male just in the 5 weeks I’ve had him in QT.

I have a halfway transitioned bimac anthias and I’m worried it may be a battle royal between the male lyretail & 1/2 transitioned bimac. The bimac has dorsal spot & has shifted in some color but wouldn’t call it complete transition.

interested to see what anthias experts think will happen. This bimac is massive, solid 5”. The Lyretails including the transitioning male range from 2-3-1/2” max.

 

[JGT]

I have pairs of bimacs, lyre tails, square backs, red bars and dispars. They all get along. There some occasional showing off by the males but that’s about it.

 

[EakTheFreak]

I have pairs of bimacs, lyre tails, square backs, red bars and dispars. They all get along. There some occasional showing off by the males but that’s about it.

That’s great to hear! How big is your tank. My DT volume is at 131 with a 40 gallon sump.

 

[JGT]

That’s great to hear! How big is your tank. My DT volume is at 131 with a 40 gallon sump.

240. I found going with a pair of more species vs. multiples of lesser number of species results in less bullying and them killing off each other one by one over time. Still gives plenty of movement too.

 

[EakTheFreak]

240. I found going with a pair of more species vs. multiples of lesser number of species results in less bullying and them killing off each other one by one over time. Still gives plenty of movement too.

Awesome, I’m likely going to upgrade to a 250 gallon tank. What brand of tank do you have or is it a custom?

 

[JGT]

Awesome, I’m likely going to upgrade to a 250 gallon tank. What brand of tank do you have or is it a custom?

This is a 25 year old acrylic tank I got from a friend and sat in my garage until a couple of years ago. Company is no longer around. Don't mean to hijack the thread here but you can see some of the anthias in this shot.

 

[EakTheFreak]

This is a 25 year old acrylic tank I got from a friend and sat in my garage until a couple of years ago. Company is no longer around. Don't mean to hijack the thread here but you can see some of the anthias in this shot.

You are not hijacking anything. I reactivated this thread from 2018 with a google search lol

 

[EakTheFreak]

You are not hijacking anything. I reactivated this thread from 2018 with a google search lol

The male bimac is just unreal. Mine has been in the transition mode for over a year. Any idea why it won’t fully change its colors?

I will try to snap a photo of it later and send on here!

 

[JGT]

The male bimac is just unreal. Mine has been in the transition mode for over a year. Any idea why it won’t fully change its colors?

I will try to snap a photo of it later and send on here!

Some just don't want to make the leap I guess. I have 3 red-belted all females. It took the biggest one like 2 years to transition. Even now, I sometimes catch him going back to female. Weird.

 

[JGT]

The male bimac is just unreal. Mine has been in the transition mode for over a year. Any idea why it won’t fully change its colors?

I will try to snap a photo of it later and send on here!

Yeah, they have some crazy colors. Mine normally is an iridescent pink with the purple square. But when he shows off for the female he becomes almost white with bright pink highlights. And he does his little wiggle dance swim by her.

 

[EakTheFreak]

Some just don't want to make the leap I guess. I have 3 red-belted all females. It took the biggest one like 2 years to transition. Even now, I sometimes catch him going back to female. Weird.

Interesting to say the least!!

 

[EakTheFreak]

Yeah, they have some crazy colors. Mine normally is an iridescent pink with the purple square. But when he shows off for the female he becomes almost white with bright pink highlights. And he does his little wiggle dance swim by her.

That’s awesome!! Will try and get a good pic here soon of my 1/2 male Bimac lol

 

[EakTheFreak]

Alright, let’s hear it. Is this a MALE OR FEMALE BIMAC?

 

[JGT]

Going with female.