Anthias: Mixing Species?

I currently has a 144 gallon with 3 anthias of the same species (and several other fish).

Is it realistic to get another species of anthias and place them in the same tank?

 

You may run into problems with the different species as the will be competing for the same niche and are known to be aggressive to other species. I would go with more of the same species.

 

Do I need to check on male/female mix?

 

I haven't had a problem with mixing anthias of differing body shapes. The P. squamipinnis (single female) and H. borbonius (trio) were fine together. The S. latusonius (single) mixed with the borbonius did not work out. The latusonius and the P. flavoguttatus (trio) were fine together. The squamipinnis was fine with everyone.

 

I currently have three Pseudanthias bartlettorum...do you have any recs incognito?

 

I'd hate to steer you wrong, for I've never kept a Bartlett's.

I wonder if they would fare better with other anthias they form social mimicries with in the wild. But as we all know, natural behaviour may never been seen in our "unnatural" tanks.


Whatever you do, don't get 3 flavs. Mine fought and mouth locked constantly. It permanently dislocated the jaw of one and she slowly withered away. I separated the other two.

 

I keep 3 Barlett's, but I can't comment on how well they behave with another species. I am interested to know what M/F ratio you have, for I started with 1 in transition, 2 females and over time I have ended up with 3 males. From what I've read, it's difficult to keep most of them from transitioning. The males do tolerate each other though, which is a bit interesting.

 

I think, and I am no expert, that I have two males and one female but started with 3 females.

How do I tell for sure?

 

Just by color really. Males are vibrant pink, females are mostly yellow.

Male:


Female:

 

Wow! I guess I have all females then. Now is prob a good time to add more then...?