Male Lyertail Anthias

[HB Fisheye]

About 3 months back I purchased a male lyertail anthias and three female lyertail anthias. At first the male would be out swimming and eating no problem. Over time he wouldn't come out as much started to eat less and eventually I would find him still alive in the rocks but not looking good. He ended up not making it. All my other fish are doing fine.
I decided to get another male and he's pretty shy and is starting the same habits and the last one. Are the females hassling him? I haven't seen any other fish going after him. Is there something about putting males and female anthias together that I don't know?

 

[Brew12]

About 3 months back I purchased a male lyertail anthias and three female lyertail anthias. At first the male would be out swimming and eating no problem. Over time he wouldn't come out as much started to eat less and eventually I would find him still alive in the rocks but not looking good. He ended up not making it. All my other fish are doing fine.
I decided to get another male and he's pretty shy and is starting the same habits and the last one. Are the females hassling him? I haven't seen any other fish going after him. Is there something about putting males and female anthias together that I don't know?

I've found Anthias to be notorious for internal parasites. Since they are also not aggressive eaters it makes it very diffiuclt to diagnose.

It is possible that one of the females is transitioning and picking on the males though. I feel it is best to add all females and let them work out which one becomes the male.

 

[reefndude]

I bought three females and one I believe is transitioning. Surprisingly it's the smallest of the bunch

 

[Kmsutows]

Agreed about starting with all females. Typically my experience is things go better if you just let the females decide who's dominant and turn to male.

 

[HB Fisheye]

Good information. Thanks everyone.