Mixing different sizes of anthias, same species

[Sierra_Bravo]

I've a group of four bimac anthias in QT: three female and one male. The females are around 3" long. If I wanted to add two more bimac females, but they are smaller, say 2 - 2.25", is that going to be a problem?

 

[juicemanatx]

I haven’t had a problem

 

[eatbreakfast]

Size isn't too much of an issue. I am more concerned with only adding 2 to an established group of 4.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

Size isn't too much of an issue. I am more concerned with only adding 2 to an established group of 4.

They're in QT; have been for only a week and a half. I share the same concern. There was not enough available when I bought the original group and I'm thinking "now or never" despite the size difference. You think they will have becomed territorial in this short of time?

 

[juicemanatx]

Move the pipes around when you get the other 2 in.

 

[eatbreakfast]

It's not about territoriality, it is about social dominance. More specimens diffuses aggression. The 2 new ones will automatically be at the bottom of the hierarchy and be the targets of the 4 dominant fish.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

It's not about territoriality, it is about social dominance. More specimens diffuses aggression. The 2 new ones will automatically be at the bottom of the hierarchy and be the targets of the 4 dominant fish.

Understood. I'll run a divider this first week and see if that helps the others get used to the new additions. Should I put the male in with the newcomers while divided?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Understood. I'll run a divider this first week and see if that helps the others get used to the new additions. Should I put the male in with the newcomers while divided?

No, keep the male with the lg females to prevent1 from starting to transition.