Lyretail Anthias Trio

[mikellini]

Hi all, just looking for a little advice. I'm going to pick up a trio of Lyretail Anthias on Tuesday; one 'supermale' and two females. From what I have been reading, it sounds like I should try and get two females that are not close to the same size, so the pecking order is obvious. I think I'll have four females to choose from... when I stopped in to have a look, it looks like there is one or two larger females (still half the size of the male) and the others were significantly smaller. What should I do?

 

[hybridazn]

Get 2 females that are smaller than the male and you will be good to go.

 

[mikellini]

Yes, but should I get two bigger ones around the same size, two smaller ones around the same size, or one of each? Does it matter? From what I've read, it sounds like it does.

 

[hybridazn]

Smaller ones the same size

 

[eatbreakfast]

As long as the male is clearly larger and more dominant the size of the females in relation to each other does not matter. There will be a pecking order but the male won't allow the dominant female bully the submissive female too badly before he "puts her in her place".

 

[mikellini]

I think I'll just get the two that seem the most active then, hanging around the male. I'm half expecting to end up with a pair but we shall see...

 

[mikellini]

Should I just go with one female and one male? Does anyone have any experience with pairs or trios of these fish?

 

[eatbreakfast]

IME more is better with squammipinnis. They can be feisty for anthias. The more that are in the group the more the aggression is diffused.

 

[ca1ore]

Lyretails like green chromis for me - they always seem to end up whittling themselves down to just one (usually the male) so I don't bother anymore. Aggressive (mores so for me than even bartletts) and better alternatives.