Pseudanthias squamipinnis Question

[david1980]

Hi All

Question regarding the above mentioned fish. I currently have a group of 3 with one large male (approx. 6") with 2 smaller females (approx. 4"). I now have the opportunity to get 3 more (1 male, 2 females). The fish are quite a bit smaller than the ones I currently have. If I put them all together, will the small male change into a female since there is a much larger male present, or will the larger one kill the smaller one? I assume adding the 2 females shouldn't be a problem.

BR
David

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

Hi All

Question regarding the above mentioned fish. I currently have a group of 3 with one large male (approx. 6") with 2 smaller females (approx. 4"). I now have the opportunity to get 3 more (1 male, 2 females). The fish are quite a bit smaller than the ones I currently have. If I put them all together, will the small male change into a female since there is a much larger male present, or will the larger one kill the smaller one? I assume adding the 2 females shouldn't be a problem.

BR
David

Anthias don't change back to female, so the smaller male is likely going to get killed by the existing male. The females shouldn't be a problem.

 

[david1980]

Anthias don't change back to female, so the smaller male is likely going to get killed by the existing male. The females shouldn't be a problem.

Ok, thanks for the info. That's what I was afraid of... So what to do with a single male... I'll have to see if my LFS will take him.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Anthias don't change back to female, so the smaller male is likely going to get killed by the existing male. The females shouldn't be a problem.

Not true, anthias are capable of reverting gender, I've had more than a few species of male anthias revert to male because a female became more dominant.

However, when a new male is introduced to an existing male, it is far more likely the existing male will bully the new male to death fairly quickly.

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

Not true, anthias are capable of reverting gender, I've had more than a few species of male anthias revert to male because a female became more dominant.

However, when a new male is introduced to an existing male, it is far more likely the existing male will bully the new male to death fairly quickly.

Interesting. Everything I've ever read has described Pseudanthias sp. as protogynous hermaphrodites (all start as females and transition to male). I brought out my copy of Reef Fishes just to confirm and Michael only describes the female => male transition.

Not challenging your observation, I've just never heard that described. In my experience, the new males have never survived long enough regardless...

 

[eatbreakfast]

Interesting. Everything I've ever read has described Pseudanthias sp. as protogynous hermaphrodites (all start as females and transition to male). I brought out my copy of Reef Fishes just to confirm and Michael only describes the female => male transition.

Not challenging your observation, I've just never heard that described. In my experience, the new males have never survived long enough regardless...

They are protogynous hermaphrodites, but many transitional hermaphrodites can revert back based on social dynamics. The process goes juvenile to female to initial phase male to terminal phase male. As initial phase males reversion is possible, as terminal phase it is not. But it is not possible to tell the difference between initial phase and terminal phase with the naked eye in many species.

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

They are protogynous hermaphrodites, but many transitional hermaphrodites can revert back based on social dynamics. The process goes juvenile to female to initial phase male to terminal phase male. As initial phase males reversion is possible, as terminal phase it is not. But it is not possible to tell the difference between initial phase and terminal phase with the naked eye in many species.

Ah, makes sense.

 

[Kmsutows]

Many times when a new female becomes more dominate and takes over and changes to male the previous male will become very dull coloration which I think, from what Ive read, is more common than complete change back to female but I believe it's possible as @eatbreakfast stated