Anthia Behavior

YoungReefer06 · 02/16/2006, 12:07 PM

I have a question about my anthias that I would like to ask you guys in the "advanced" group because I called acouple LFS's and they had no idea.

I have eight Lyretail Anthias in my 125g reef tank, they have been doing fine and have even doubled in size since I got them. They eat frozen brine, mysis, plankton, krill, squid, etc soaking in Selcon vitamins several times per day. When I purchased them I got 1 male and 7 females, but within a week of getting them 1 female turned into another male.

The 2 males have been getting along fine for several months now and don't really fight at all. They somethings flare fins and such but no physical contact, they each just hover above their own "reef" divided by a sand bank.

Well the problem is when I came home from school today the two males were both ruffed up pretty bad, no other fish in the tank had any problems but the two males. Torn fins, missing scales, etc. I concluded that they got into a big fight with each other.

My question is why after all these months of them getting along together and thriving do they decide to "all out brawl" with each other?

Julio · 02/16/2006, 01:06 PM

Ad some more females and you will see that the fighting will slow down dramatically, Is usually best to keep 6-7 females per male.

roons · 02/16/2006, 10:02 PM

i have 2 females and 1 male, 6 or 7? sheesh

YoungReefer06 · 02/16/2006, 10:13 PM

With my luck, if I buy 6 more females, five of them will turn into males.

Julio · 02/16/2006, 10:58 PM

i am sure they will be fine now tht you have 2 males to keep them in check.

02/16/2006, 12:07 PM	#1
YoungReefer06 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Eastern Shore Posts: 285	Anthia Behavior I have a question about my anthias that I would like to ask you guys in the "advanced" group because I called acouple LFS's and they had no idea. I have eight Lyretail Anthias in my 125g reef tank, they have been doing fine and have even doubled in size since I got them. They eat frozen brine, mysis, plankton, krill, squid, etc soaking in Selcon vitamins several times per day. When I purchased them I got 1 male and 7 females, but within a week of getting them 1 female turned into another male. The 2 males have been getting along fine for several months now and don't really fight at all. They somethings flare fins and such but no physical contact, they each just hover above their own "reef" divided by a sand bank. Well the problem is when I came home from school today the two males were both ruffed up pretty bad, no other fish in the tank had any problems but the two males. Torn fins, missing scales, etc. I concluded that they got into a big fight with each other. My question is why after all these months of them getting along together and thriving do they decide to "all out brawl" with each other?

02/16/2006, 01:06 PM	#2
Julio Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: New york Posts: 7,978	Ad some more females and you will see that the fighting will slow down dramatically, Is usually best to keep 6-7 females per male. __________________ Thanks, Have a nice day. Julio Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef w/ 250 watt SE XM10Ks and AP1003, 12 gallon reef, 40 gallon reef

02/16/2006, 10:58 PM	#5
Julio Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: New york Posts: 7,978	i am sure they will be fine now tht you have 2 males to keep them in check. __________________ Thanks, Have a nice day. Julio Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef w/ 250 watt SE XM10Ks and AP1003, 12 gallon reef, 40 gallon reef

02/16/2006, 10:02 PM	#3
roons Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: saugerties ,ny Posts: 1,240	i have 2 females and 1 male, 6 or 7? sheesh

02/16/2006, 10:13 PM	#4
YoungReefer06 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Eastern Shore Posts: 285	With my luck, if I buy 6 more females, five of them will turn into males.