How many lyretail anthias?

[d3rryc]

I'm thinking about getting some lyretail anthais. I've got a 140-gal with room for the bioload. However, Michael Scott's book on marine fish says keep them either singly or in groups of 8 (?!) or more. My preference would be to get three young females and let them firgure out who gets to be the boy. Can I get some advice from those who have kept lyretails?

Thanks!
Derry

[Kristy]

This is exactly what we did, bought three females and watched them sort it out for the male. Was really interesting to watch him change. They were just fine as a trio, not sure why he recommends 8 except that may be the natural size of a harem in the wild. Anyhow, after about a year I wished that I had bought more and added a few more females to our group. Now have five.

[d3rryc]

Just out of curiosity, did you add them to your old 100g or to the new 210g?

[DrMark]

I bought 1 male and 7 females several months ago. All doing well.
mark

[d3rryc]

Unfortunately, I don't have room for that many in my tank.

[Kristy]

Just out of curiosity, did you add them to your old 100g or to the new 210g?

I'm trying so hard to remember and I want to say that it was just after we transferred everything over to the 210g (which just celebrated its one year birthday!) :applause: Feels like we've always had the anthias, but looking back, I can't remember them in the 100g. Maybe Mike will remember (but I wouldn't bet on it!)

They are wonderful additions because they are such a lovely color and so sociable, first ones to come swimming up to your face when you approach the tank. I enjoyed them so much more than I thought I would, which is why I ultimately went on to add more. Would have been much easier to buy the group together and start them off together. I would highly advise deciding on a number and getting that many from the start. If you have room for five, do five. You won't regret it. If you have a lot of other fish in there, then just do the trio.