Lyretail Anthias-how to proceed?

[Yogre]

Hi, y'all...

About 3 months ago I added 4 female lyretail anthias to my 215 gallon in hopes of seeing one of them become male. For the first few weeks, all was well, all 4 ate well, none seemed to be cowering in the corner. No terrible aggression issues, just some pushing and shoving, which I expected given that these fish are described as "semi-aggressive".

Unfortunately, about a month ago the smallest female quit eating. Nothing had changed at all in the tank except that the largest female had started to develop a pronounced dorsal spike. Last night, I noticed the smallest fish on the sandbed, and tried to net her out to go to hospital, but she went up under a big rock that's owned by a pair of pistol shrimp. No doubt she didn't survive the night. :sad1:

SO, I'm wondering: should I stick with the three anthias I have, which should result in one male with two females? Or, should I get a couple more females to spread out any aggression issues?

P.S. There has been no sign of disease in the tank. Feeding is a morning snack of cyclopeeze or Reef Chili; evening meal is Rod's Original. Other fish are 6 green chromis, 1 McCosker's wrasse, 1 green mandarin, and a lawnmower blenny.

TIA!

[SDguy]

If you don't want to add any more, you don't have to. IME aggression doesn't need to be "spread out" if you are dealing with true females and true males. If you do get more, make sure they are small, females with no dorsal spikes at all.

FWIW, it doesn't sound like the small one died due to aggression. Also, keep in mind, anthias will attack sick conspecifics, regardless of "rank" in the group.

[sanchoy]

It happens.. as a matter a fact, it happened to me awhile back as well. I introduced 6. 1 male, 5 females. One female was ok for the first month, than just stopped eating and died as well. As far as adding new lyretails, personally I would go for it. Because in my tank, i wanted to setup a harem of lyretails.

[Yogre]

Thanks for the responses, y'all.

I'll just bump this one time for the evening crowd.....

[Apercula]

I ended up with a pair after my initial male died. The remaining 2 have done well for almost a year and a half as just a pair, with the larger turning full male over a year ago. My tank is a little crowded though, with a couple fish that are as/more aggressive than the male lyretail, so any aggression is a bit spread out. The male does dart at the female occasionally, but Ive never seen any damage on her.

[sedor]

I would get about 5 - 7 more in a 215 :D

[Yogre]

Thanks, everyone.

I think if I happen across a couple of fat, healthy females I'll bring 'em home but if nothing comes along I'll not sweat it. My primary concern was excessive aggression among the remaining fish, but it doesn't sound like that's an issue. :thumbsup: