Sexually Frustrated!!!

[cedzaquaddiction]

Alright experts...

I've had 2 female lyretail anthias in QT for about a month now whole my DT sits fallow. It became clear which femal was the dominant one, but, I hadn't noticed any transformation into a male. I ordered a male anthias to add to the collection to have a trio as I've read that males normally have a harem. Well, I arrive home today with my male anthias to see an extended dorsal fin on the dominant female. This is normally a sign that the female has begun transformation into a male, correct?

Well, I figure since the new fish is completely male, he will dominate the other two and the transforming female will convert back to female. I remove all of the PVC to remove some territorial ownership, I acclimate the male with the lights off, and let him into the tank after re-arranging the environment as I don't nave an acclimation ball on hand. After a couple of hours, I turn on the lights, and the transforming female starts savagely attacking the new male. I mean it is brutal...

Should I take the new male back, remove all anthias, and add them back at the same time, or what? This was kind of bad timing as I will be out of town for a couple of days and the lights and feeding will be operated by timer. I won't be here to turn off the lights when things get bad for the male.

Any advice? Thanks all!!!

 

[islandreef]

AHHHH YES.... If he is getting beat down that badly he may be dead in a few hours if you leave him in their. I believe the transformation has already taken place. I am sure others will chime in, but I would take him back to where you got him

 

[bluespot]

Cool, a fish discussion about a fish I actually have! A few months ago I picked up a female lyretail from a LFS. Always loved them and I was a day too late to get a male too. I read countless threads about about the sex change and people seemed to think that a female would easily change into a male in the absence of a male, if other female anthias were present. The general thought was female to male=easy. Male back to female= never seen it happen but then again one usually died very quickly unless in a very large tank. So, pretty much doesn't happen if even possible. I would get one out quick before one is beat to death.

The same people also said that you need more than one lyretail for the change to happen. I have a small hippo tang that was bullying the anthias and next thing I know mine has changed to a male seemingly overnight. Long flowing fins, giant spike, bold stripes and a pink cast to back. Pretty. My wife, the great fish namer, called her "Sherbet the goldfish", but now it's "Spike, the pretty goldfish that chases Nori the tang (Dori's cousin - don't ask!).

 

[sea atlanta]

Anthias cannot switch sex back and forth from male to female and back. Come in and we can discuss it. Anthia social interactions and groupings is not a simple matter, and is not easily accomplished in the aquarium.

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

Well, he made it through the night. I cut off all of the lights and all fish went to sleep.

They are separated for now. It would've been ugly by the time I got home if I left them in the same tank without complete darkness.

I was able to catch the halfway transformed female (will be referred to as RuPaul from this point on) this morning and pull her out as the new male was in hiding and I couldn't find him. As soon as I pulled RuPaul out, I did notice the new male and submissive female immediately started getting along together as if they were old lovers re-united. It's like she was welcoming him home and showing him around the tank. She even got between RuPaul and him a couple of times last night like she was trying to break up the fight.

I think I may keep RuPaul in my mantis tank for about a week to see how things turn out with the new male and submissive female. If they continue to get along, I may move them to the DT together after the fallow period, and leave RuPaul in the mantis tank.

Thanks for all of your input. You all have definetely saved a male anthias's life. RuPaul wouldv'e killed him for sure...

Question: If RuPaul continues to be the only anthias in her tank, will she complete the transformation, or stay at the halfway point?

Edit:

SEA Atlanta;814168 wrote: Anthias cannot switch sex back and forth from male to female and back. Come in and we can discuss it. Anthia social interactions and groupings is not a simple matter, and is not easily accomplished in the aquarium.

Read a very interesting article on Dr. Smith's website about anthias. Very enlightening...

Are you all open this Friday? I'll be in town for the weekend...

 

[sea atlanta]

Yes, were open 11-6 on Friday.

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

Sorry... Didn't get a chance to venture far on this visit. I'll definitely stop by on my next visit...