Anthis? Male/ Female or all Female

[zachrabbit15]

So wanting a small school of anthis in the new tank. Would I be better getting a male and 3 females or buy 4 females and let the dominant female morph?

 

[DTECH07]

To my understanding its better to start with one male and as many females as you want (REASON) it prevents the natural fights and struggles for dominance between them. Which wont create (maybe) a rouge member or a isolated member. and this is only a MAYBE it won't occur but odds are better from my reading and ones who have owned reports.

 

[jezzeaepi]

In my experience, if the anthias are healthy and growing, you are going to end up with 2 males no matter what if you have 3 or greater females. I originally started with 4 females and 1 male. After 2-3 months a female turned and I had two males and 3 females. Fast forward about 5 months, and one of the males jumped out leaving me with 1 male and 3 females. 3-4 months later a female morphed, once again leaving me with 2 males, and now 2 females. They lived together for about a year in a half before one of the males decided he had enough with the other male, and he killed him one day. This left me with 1 male and 2 females and I didn't have any others change on me in the next year in a half before I had to give the trio up. Long term I don't think anthias do well in groups of greater then 3.

 

[vlangel]

I bought 3 female lyretails. Two were buddies and one was odd man out. The dominant of the two morphed. I did not see the pair picking on the shy female but she eventually died. I still have the pair and they are one male and one female. They better not change into two males because their names are Romeo and Juliet!

 

[zachrabbit15]

Hum lots to think about. One of the main reasons I have thought about starting with all females is due to the price of male Pseudanthias ventralis VS female.

 

[TJL]

I have a trio of Hawaiian Bicolor Anthias that are very settled. Initially made the mistake of bringing back 4 smaller and same-sized fish from Hawaii instead of having one larger which would have stated the one to become the male. Two fought for that right and secondary male was shunned for months til Alpha Tile-surfed (probably chasing him and missed). I would also suggest getting at least a trio with one of them slightly larger.

Cheers, Todd