Antias question

kbaker721 · 01/20/2009, 10:04 PM

I have a female lyretail anthias in my tank (about 4"), much bigger than any other fish. She doesn't bother with any of her tankmates (2 clowns, goby, blenny, diadema, yellow tang). I just added a much smaller lyretail anthias (female) and a small school of chromis.... and she proceeded to chase them all into hiding. Is this just asserting some initial tank dominance to show them who is boss, or is she going to be a pain with any tankmates that join her...?? I was under the impression that anthias as a rule are more docile than other fish, and am hoping this is just some initial "new guy" hazing..... Thanks

nikon187 · 01/20/2009, 11:04 PM

50/50 if your older female will except the new one but more than likely it will turn male or already has. My Male lyretail is the second most aggressive fish in my tank after my yellow tang

Tylt33 · 01/20/2009, 11:38 PM

If your lyretail is about 4", I'd be willing to bet it's male by now. New fish with similar body types will probably be targets... hopefully it's just hazing though.

kbaker721 · 01/21/2009, 09:57 AM

It was in the tank with a male (same size) at the lfs, would it change sex in a matter or one or two weeks?! But if it is a male, wouldn't it accept a female? How aggressive is this fish - will it limit tank mates??

01/20/2009, 10:04 PM	#1
kbaker721 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 384	Antias question I have a female lyretail anthias in my tank (about 4"), much bigger than any other fish. She doesn't bother with any of her tankmates (2 clowns, goby, blenny, diadema, yellow tang). I just added a much smaller lyretail anthias (female) and a small school of chromis.... and she proceeded to chase them all into hiding. Is this just asserting some initial tank dominance to show them who is boss, or is she going to be a pain with any tankmates that join her...?? I was under the impression that anthias as a rule are more docile than other fish, and am hoping this is just some initial "new guy" hazing..... Thanks

01/20/2009, 11:04 PM	#2
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	50/50 if your older female will except the new one but more than likely it will turn male or already has. My Male lyretail is the second most aggressive fish in my tank after my yellow tang __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

01/20/2009, 11:38 PM	#3
Tylt33 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chico, California Posts: 1,755	If your lyretail is about 4", I'd be willing to bet it's male by now. New fish with similar body types will probably be targets... hopefully it's just hazing though.

01/21/2009, 09:57 AM	#4
kbaker721 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 384	It was in the tank with a male (same size) at the lfs, would it change sex in a matter or one or two weeks?! But if it is a male, wouldn't it accept a female? How aggressive is this fish - will it limit tank mates??