Adding Athias and changing sex...

[afboundguy]

I currently have 3 Lyretail Anthias in QT (1 male and 2 females) and I have thought about adding 1-2 more females later on months down the road.

With that being said, my QT process is 14-15 days and I am curious how fast a female will start transitioning to male? I have some concerns that the 1-2 females might start transitioning to male in the 14-15 days in QT so curious if anyone knows how long the transition starts with Anthias?

 

[KrisReef]

I’m would not expect the females to start transitioning unless the current male is old and not able to dominate the harem. They should remain females, under normal circumstances.

 

[afboundguy]

I’m would not expect the females to start transitioning unless the current male is old and not able to dominate the harem. They should remain females, under normal circumstances.

I understand that but I was curious if they would start transitioning to male while in QT while the male is already in the DT?

 

[Decamicron Labs Verified Sponsor]

Once it starts, it happens pretty quickly. On the order of days to weeks for most fish. However, the question is whether any of them feel comfortable/confident enough. It is a large metabolic investment for them.

 

[afboundguy]

Once it starts, it happens pretty quickly. On the order of days to weeks for most fish. However, the question is whether any of them feel comfortable/confident enough. It is a large metabolic investment for them.

I would assume being in a 10 gallon QT would make them lean more towards being not comfortable/confident

 

[Decamicron Labs Verified Sponsor]

I would assume being in a 10 gallon QT would make them lean more towards being not comfortable/confident

I would assume a similar predilection. If you are really worried about it, I'd do a large water change every now and then or something else that spooks them a little but doesn't hurt them.

I'd be more concerned how your existing established anthias would react to the newcomers though.

 

[jsmkmavity]

It depends on whether it is a home school or a public school?!/$

 

[afboundguy]

I would assume a similar predilection. If you are really worried about it, I'd do a large water change every now and then or something else that spooks them a little but doesn't hurt them.

I am doing the Serious Reefs QT method so I do a 100% water change every 3 days so that would work

I'd be more concerned how your existing established anthias would react to the newcomers though.

I have an acclimation box I would use to check aggression and also have a separate 35 cube plumbed in that they could go in temporarily if it was that bad and then re-home them.

My other thought was adding a different anthia species instead.

 

[Decamicron Labs Verified Sponsor]

That sounds like a good enough strategy for me.

If you're doing a 100% water change already, why not do tank transfer? Right now you're still exposed to the risk of ich tomonts and velvet dinospores remaining.