Lyretail Anthias Hiding (after 4 years)

[Mules1]

I put 3 females in the tank 4 years ago. Lost one female early. One female turned male and have been happy for 4 years. Have not added any fish in almost 2 years. Recently they have both gone into hiding. The male hid so well I was sure he was gone but now I can see both. They don't come out to feed but I'm sure food gets into the area they are hiding. Sometimes the female is with the male and at others is on the other side of the tank. All other livestock seems fine. Tank is a 6' long 150 gallon. No changes in food or feeding routine. Anyone know why?


Also posted in Reef Fishes Section

[Timfish]

Maybe they're getting old?

[GSMclowns]

Lyretail anthias usually last about 6-7 years for me.
I had one pair that lasted 6 years. Another pair I got from a friend that lasted about 7 years. The male died first and then the female turned to male and now it is gone. So if your anthias are hiding, it is about to be gone. As they get older, they don't eat as much and slowly losing color and fade away.

[Tripod1404]

I agree with aging. When anthias age they first start to perch a lot and eat less. They eventually turns into no eating and hiding.

[Uncle99]

Mating?

[MondoBongo]

how long have they been hiding?

my smallest female used to hide a lot. sometimes for up to a week or so. then she would gradually start venturing out from time to time to snag food, then eventually would be back to normal.

she's no longer with me, but she did this several times over the year i had her. my other anthias haven't displayed this behavior.

[Tripod1404]

Mating?

Cant be, anthias are pelagic spawners.

[ca1ore]

I've been gradually losing my bimac anthias, which I've had for a little more than 4 years. No overt symptoms, just loss of color, general, lethargy and then laying dead on the sand. I think old age.

[anbosu]

4 years is a long time for anthias in captivity. I would guess old age.