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!) 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.