Lyretail Anthias Metamorphosis

[Formulator]

My lyretail has been SLOWLY changing her colors as she becomes a he… I first noticed some spots of purple on fins back in early August. I’ve been taking periodic photos to document the metamorphosis and will continue to update this thread through the change. I found it surprising there is not much out there on this topic (at least that I could find). The pigment change is quite odd in that it seems to come in splotches rather than a uniform darkening like I would have guessed. It seems especially pronounced on the tail, near gills, and on fins, though if you look closely, all of the scales have a tinge of purple developing.

March 2024 (before start of metamorphosis):

August 29, 2024 (approx. start):

September 16, 2024:

October 1, 2024:

October 13, 2024:

 

[littlefoxx]

My lyretail has been SLOWLY changing her colors as she becomes a he… I first noticed some spots of purple on fins back in early August. I’ve been taking periodic photos to document the metamorphosis and will continue to update this thread through the change. I found it surprising there is not much out there on this topic (at least that I could find). The pigment change is quite odd in that it seems to come in splotches rather than a uniform darkening like I would have guessed. It seems especially pronounced on the tail, near gills, and on fins, though if you look closely, all of the scales have a tinge of purple developing.

March 2024 (before start of metamorphosis):

August 29, 2024 (approx. start):

September 16, 2024:

October 1, 2024:

October 13, 2024:

Shes going to be pretty when its complete!

 

[cilyjr]

Good idea documenting this.

 

[Formulator]

Good idea documenting this.

Thanks, I hope it’s useful to someone. When mine first started changing I was actually worried it was some kind of infection because of the splotchy nature of the pigment changes.

 

[littlefoxx]

Did she have a name when it was a she?

 

[Formulator]

Did she have a name when it was a she?

Yes! She is Moana :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

 

[littlefoxx]

Yes! She is Moana :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

Lol is that her male name too??

 

[Terry Le]

My did that and he was killed by the other male already in the tank

 

[Formulator]

Update: I added 2 small females at the beginning of the year. Seems to have sped things up a bit and all is peaceful!