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?

 

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.;D Luna

 

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?

 

Okay the new babies are acclimating now. I'll try to get some pics out to you guys soon.

 

cant wait!

 

Alrighty everyone. Here's the new additions!!! They've already started to swim and ate up all the live brine I threw in with them. They're not intimidated by my 4 chromis at all.

 

Great looking fish, good luck. Luna