One shy anthia

[Renzema]

I have been struggling with my male carberryi anthia, anytime I get close to the tank he dives under his rock. Usually takes about 30 minutes for him to come out again. If anything at all disturbs the tank he hides.

This causes a problem because he rarely gets much food. I feed 3-4 times a day to make sure he at least gets something. Also currently, I have to stand on a side that he can't see me, and wait until he peaks out a bit. Then slowly pour food in. He will eat, but if he notices me he's gone. He lays on the sand bottom under a rock at the back of a cave.

All of my other anthias in his school(females) are fat and happy. They will usually be as close to me as they can get. I had hoped that they would give the poor guy some confidence but to no avail.

Anyone run into this, and did it end well? Considering trapping him, and getting him out if it continues.

[windlasher]

YOU - are a very big thing in your fish's very little world. Wouldn't you hide if something several hundred times your size walked up on you? Try adding food once the lights go out. He will get enough. It may take time but adding another might help him feel a little more secure.

[davocean]

My first thought was do you have other anthia, but seems you do, and i'd be a little concerned because if he is not as bold, or really bolder than the existing females he may find himself challenged for that position.
I would continue to feed w/out him seeing you as best as and as much as possible and hopefully in time he does gain confidence.
An autofeeder may help you as well.

[Renzema]

Windlasher -

He does have a harem. I have tried at sunrise and sunset, but he is asleep before lights out. I regularly see him swimming around if I am over 15' away.

davocean -

That is my concern as well. The females are very tight, and school continually. I have been watching for any signs the largest may be making the shift to male. Mainly watching that 3rd dorsal spine for lengthening. None what so ever yet. He seems to keep them in line when I am not close.

Also, he is MUCH larger at least 1" bigger than his closest rival.


Guess I'll have to find another male, and trap him. He is starting to look thin, even with my continued tries to feed him.

[davocean]

Well, I'm not one for giving up easy, not that you are, just that I don't see removing him to benefit him at all really unless you QT'd him, and you'd most likely have to give him away anyway as the next biggest will surely change soon w/ his absence, so I guess if it were me I'd keep trying and if it does fail just let nature take it's course and let an existing female assume that role, you could always add more females later if you wished.

[Renzema]

Well, I'm not one for giving up easy, not that you are, just that I don't see removing him to benefit him at all really unless you QT'd him, and you'd most likely have to give him away anyway as the next biggest will surely change soon w/ his absence, so I guess if it were me I'd keep trying and if it does fail just let nature take it's course and let an existing female assume that role, you could always add more females later if you wished.

Side question, how long do it usually take a female to completely change? I have heard sometimes people have waited years.

[davocean]

It varies, I once had a sub that had a spike for nearly a year before it changed completely, and twice I had a female change almost completely overnight, and both of those times a male was present.
If you are thinking QT I think might as well try, and just observe the females, if they are that much smaller you may have some time, just good luck in catching it.