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05-05-2008, 10:33 PM
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#1 (permalink)
| | Skunk Shrimp
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 295
Karma: 143
 |  Want to buy an Anthias Pair but...
Okay, so there is a 'mated pair' of lyretail anthias at a reliable LFS near me. They weren't shipped, someone had them in a 47 gal and brought them in. I have a 55 (much bigger than what they are in now and what they were raised in).
I've looked up the gender difference between them, but heres the thing. Both look extremely similar to each other. I mean same orange coloration and elongated dorsal fin. Since they're orange I'm inclined to say that they are female, but the elongated dorsal makes me think that they are both male (which doesn't seem right). The store was told that they are a mated pair, but the only difference is that one of the fishes pectoral fins has large splotches on it and its a bit flashier and showier.
I've looked up lyretails and seem quite a few pictures of them, and everyone seems to be in agreement that the male is red. Neither of these two are, but if both of them aren't a male then wouldn't one of them have changed their sex by now? I'm probably bringing them home either way because they've been at the store for over a week and eat well and are nice and plump. They've showed no signs of disease, fatigue, etc. I've always been weary of anthias because I know that they are more fragile than other fish, but hey you gotta move on up the difficulty ladder at some point. I just did a 50% water change on my reef tank so the water quality should be stellar for them (just in case I'm checking the water before I bring them home).
Any theories on the sex of these guys? I'll try to post pics when I get them tomorrow. 
Also any tips on keeping them. I have an automatic feeder that feeds cyclopzeeze flakes twice a day and will supplement with frozen probably about 4 times a week. Is this good and can anyone think of anything else?
_________
55gal,260 watt PC(2x65 actinic,2x65 10k daylight,8 lunar LED) 45#LR, 45#LS, 3 maxi-jet 900's on a natural wavemaker timer,phosban reactor, 5 gal fuge (built out of standard 10 gallon tank) with chaeto, grape, and feather caulerpa, sealife systems protein skimmer, wet/dry, 4 blue/green chromi, 1 skunk cleaner shrimp, 2 lyretail anthias, 1 royal gramma,1 true perc 5 mexican turbo snails, assorted dwarf blue leg hermits, astrea snails, and nerite snails | 
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05-06-2008, 12:32 AM
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#2 (permalink)
| | Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone
Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Manchester UK Age: 24
Posts: 743
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I have 2 anthias.
When i first made the purchase it was as a female and male.
I noticed both were as orange as each other, and the male had an elongated dorsal fin.
But as time has gone by the male has gone so much darker, almost to the point of having a black colouration to him.
But in your case i would not worry. Anthias are hermethrodites (spelling :s), they may have been a mated pair but then the female may have decided to become a male.
Elongated Dorsal fins are only with males. _________ You will never know whats in my tank as i can only type 15 words  | 
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05-06-2008, 02:57 AM
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#3 (permalink)
| | Giant Squid
Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Miami Age: 39
Posts: 3,656
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phoenixhieghts  I have 2 anthias.
When i first made the purchase it was as a female and male.
I noticed both were as orange as each other, and the male had an elongated dorsal fin.
But as time has gone by the male has gone so much darker, almost to the point of having a black colouration to him.
But in your case i would not worry. Anthias are hermethrodites (spelling :s), they may have been a mated pair but then the female may have decided to become a male.
Elongated Dorsal fins are only with males. | I concur with his statement, these fish are sometimes hard to keep. They need alot of swimming space and need to be fed several times a day. A 55 is the min. size tank that they need. Good luck with them and we're waiting for the pics.  Luna _________ 9YR OLD 90G 30G w/d Mag18 150G skimmer 692w MH,yel&kole tang,foxface,midas&convict blenny,B&G chromies,Blk/yel fin chromie blackcap,nemo,neon goby,6line; Blastomussa Merleti,Acan ,BUBBLE,Torch,LTA, Goniopora(2), Acropora(2),Brain, Moon, assort zoas, yel& G star polyps, R&G open brain, P&B ricordia, montiporas, cup&candy corals, enias,B/G mush,flower ane(2), cherry red mussa, dusters,cleaning crew  | |
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05-06-2008, 12:53 PM
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#4 (permalink)
| | Skunk Shrimp
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 295
Karma: 143
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I'll post the pics when I can luna. Barring unforeseen horrible water quality after a 50% water change, they will get home later tonight. I'm picking up some frozen formula one for them (and my chromis), but does anyone have suggestions on something else to feed them? | |
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05-06-2008, 06:14 PM
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#5 (permalink)
| | Skunk Shrimp
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 295
Karma: 143
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Okay the new babies are acclimating now. I'll try to get some pics out to you guys soon. | |
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05-06-2008, 06:45 PM
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#6 (permalink)
| | Bubble Tip Anemone
Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Beverly Hills, MI Age: 17
Posts: 682
 
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cant wait! | |
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05-06-2008, 07:26 PM
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#7 (permalink)
| | Skunk Shrimp
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 295
Karma: 143
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05-06-2008, 07:29 PM
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#8 (permalink)
| | Giant Squid
Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Miami Age: 39
Posts: 3,656
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Great looking fish, good luck. Luna | |
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05-06-2008, 07:34 PM
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#9 (permalink)
| | Fire Goby
Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sun River,Oregon (Bend) Age: 34
Posts: 1,326
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Man I love that fish. Wish my set-up was more suitable. Killer score. | |
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