Different male anthias types in same tank?

[HighlandReef]

I have been wanting to buy a bunch of anthias and wanted to see what experiences others have had with keeping different types in one tank?
Been wanting trios of
Bartlett's anthias
Tri color
And maybe sunburst
Will a male of each type be ok in one tank or will they still fight even if the are different types of anthias?
I also remember reading some where that the bartlett's will eventually all turn male and fight until only ones left?
Let me know and thanks
Chris

 

[evolved]

I also remember reading some where that the bartlett's will eventually all turn male and fight until only ones left?
Chris

That was exactly my experience with Bartlett's. I started with 3 juvies.

I've seen other people keep different species together, but I don't have any experience there.

 

[Madreef]

I suggest larger groups than three. I mixed males in my 40 with no issues. The bartletts all do see to go male, but they don't kill each other all the time. I plan to have two species with groups of 8-10 in my 150. Along with a group of cardinals.

 

[HighlandReef]

Vivid also mentioned keeping them in groups of 8 or more... Good to know and Thanks

 

[nlandgraf]

I have a male evansi and male lyretail and they don't fight. The evansi only hangs out on the right side of the tank though.

 

[All Delight]

I have 4 ignitus and I thought about adding 3 randalls. Not sure what would happen. I only have a 40

 

[Saldarya]

I currently run the following Anthias in my 220g tank:

Bartletts Anthias. 2 male/1 female
Randalls Anthias. 1m/2F (1 female may be a partial change)
Pictilis Anthias. 1m/2F
Tiger Queen (P. Lori.) 1m/1f
Red Stripe Anthias (P. Fasciatus) 1m

To answer your first question, I started with 2 female Bartletts and 1 did change. All hell broke out between the two of them but now that 1 has shown dominant, it settled down. The female shows no sign of changing.

2nd question, I have never seen any overt aggression between males of different species.

I think one key to this is it takes a while for the primary Male to settle in and truly be dominant. In that time, you may have one of the females or more start to change so as to be able to challenge him. Once 1 male is truly dominant, the change of the others will stop. You may have another male now present (like in the case of my Bartletts) and they need to either figure it out or one will kill the other. You may also end up with what we will call a subordinate male. One that has begun to have some of the physical changes like dorsal fin, color change, etc....but is not a full blown male coloration.

You will truly know when one is dominant. I assure you, there is no doubt who the king is within the species grp.

Mixing seems to be a non issue.

HTH,

Bobby