Single Lyretail Anthias?

[ReeferReefer]

Has anyone kept anthias singly? Will females turn male when alone? Do they need social interaction to be happy?

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have seen squammipinnis kept singly and behave perfectly normally. They can transition into a male, but more often turn into some sort of 'tweener', developing a dorsal pennant, but staying orange, when kept singly.

 

[ReeferReefer]

I have seen squammipinnis kept singly and behave perfectly normally. They can transition into a male, but more often turn into some sort of 'tweener', developing a dorsal pennant, but staying orange, when kept singly.

Thanks. I want Anthias and was considering a Trio of females but am not sure if I want to add that much bioload.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Would adding additional anthais down the road lead to aggression if I upgrade my tank in a year or so? I am considering the Lyretail

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I originally added a male and a female, but the male died. I added another, and the same thing happened. After that, I left her alone and she lived eight years. Maybe around year five, she grew an elongated dorsal spine, but never showed any more signs of turning into a male.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

This was her in her younger years... very much a chick.

Then she put on some man pants, but nothing more than that.

 

[themcnertney]

I have just one in my 220. Not sure but I think its a female.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Great. I think I will give one a go then as soon as I get my QT set up.

 

[hit_the_gap]

i have one in my 12o. its a female. she does pretty well and gets along with everyone.

 

[zoomonster]

Not by choice but yes. I have a happy and healthy male who is doing fine by himself. I had two small females but something ate them along with two tierra's. Not adding more until I can figure out what. All other fish fine(including larger tierra male and female) but the 4 tiniest fish in the tank disappeared over a short period of time and they all liked to sleep in caves between rock and sand bed. Like wise I'm suspecting my large serpent star did the deed. As soon as I can catch him he's gone if nothing more than a precaution.

IME don't think you will have a problem adding more females later. Aside from assorted females I have 5 various anthias males and they do squabble but no one gets hurt/dead. At least with lyretail and tierra I've not had any aggression issues adding additional females. Might be a different story with something like my bimaculatus pair.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Sweet. Such a beautiful fish and I am excited to get one. I just worry about feeding frequently and the anthias competing with my foxface and flame angel for food. They are very aggressive eaters and small amounts of food are quickly consumed by them

 

[Lionfish Lair]

My anthias did not miss a lunch. We had a Foxface as well. We never fed our anthias frequently, but didn't pour everything in at once either. Having multiple tanks I went around to each and poured some of it in and then made the round again and again. I didn't feed at different times of the day, however. I've done this with all 4 of the species I've kept.

 

[SeaDweller]

Would adding additional anthais down the road lead to aggression if I upgrade my tank in a year or so? I am considering the Lyretail

They'll figure out a pecking order for sure. I wouldn't call it aggression, more like dominance. I've added groups of Anthias (especially lyretail) at different times and they all do well. Very hardy fish, one of my faves.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

You're not guaranteed they'll "get along" even if you add them all at the same time. I added a trio of Red Saddles and OMG, they fought something fierce as time passed.

 

[randyblktl01]

I've kept a single lyretail for couple months, just recently I brought home a male and a smaller female and there were no agresstion.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Awesome. Still have not stocked as I am waiting for more funds but I'm considering doing it