Bimaculatus Anthias schooling?

[Chris8232]

I added four to my new 180. Purchased a while back from LFS. The store held them for me for over two months. They were all together in a smaller maybe 20" cube, had to have them. When first introduce three hung together for a few days. Now one hangs in the corner, another on the underside of rock. The other two swim the tank but not so much together. I have seen one of the two take shot at the other. Feeding time the two active ones go tear it up. The other two just eat the bites that float by. I haven't noticed any coloration difference. My thoughts were they would be schooling together. Coming up on the second week. Do I need to just give them more time? What's going on with them? Thanks

 

[Salty1962]

BiMacs are one of the more aggressive anthias you can purchase. Unless there's a male to keep the females in check the most dominant female will bully the less dominant/smaller females. The reason that they most likely hung out together in the LFS was due to stress or recently shipping together. They are a deep water fish so try dimming your lights to see if you can reduce stress and help them acclimate easier. Though a little harder to find, I'd also look for a male to see if that calms things down a bit. I have one large female and she chases some of my wrasses around,lol.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I would advise against adding a male to a group of established females. The dominant female will turn into a male.

Anthias in the wild shoal rather than school, so while they can can be social, if there is no perceived danger, they will loosen how close they are together.

Increased flow and frequent feedings will reduce social aggression, but a establishing and maintaining a hierarchy is normal and will continue.

 

[Chris8232]

They use about 3/4 of the tank. The two active ones stay around the center of tank. Some time within inches of each other. The two hiding, both on the same side of the tank .. one stays in the corner behind a temporary heater that probably never comes on. The other about 18" away tuck under a rock. I took a pick the other day. I have temporary lighting that's not bright at all. The flow is pretty good but could be kick up abit.

 

[Chris8232]

No full tank shots with the fish in the tank. Here the two hiding.

 

[Chris8232]

Here's a shot of the more dominant of the two active. ( The one that took a shoot at the other)

 

[Chris8232]

This should give ya a idea on limited lighting and hiding places. The two hiding stay on the far right side. The active ones stay around the middle to right side.