is my bartlett changing?

[Skidazl]

I got a trio of Bartlett Anthias for ItsAllGood last week,(thank andy!) about 2" ea. One is slightly larger than the other 2. I noticed today that the tip of his/her dorsal fin looks a bit longer than the rest and I also noticed some orange developing on his/her underside. Does it sound like she may be changing into a male? How long does the process take? Any other signs I should look for?
thanks, Dave

 

[rayray]

it happens quickly

I started with 10 female bartlett anthias, and now 4 are clearly males. They get bigger, become very brighter pink with an orangish stripe down the short axis of the body in the middle, but most noticibly the caudal fin elongates and becomes outlined with whitish-pink on top and bottom, and the underbite of the mouth becomes more prominant. Transformation happens suddenly. I did not notice an intermediate stage.

The male behavior also is more aggressive, he is always hearding the females together. If another becomes male, they will fight untill one is kept cornered in a cave. Im my case 3 bachelors stick their heads out and dart in and out for food.

The females remain duller in color. 1 of them will get large and become the dominant female, swimming along side with the dominant male. She bullies the other 5 females.

Ill post pics. They are awesome fish.

 

[rayray]

male bartletts anthia

Notice that verticle stripe down the middle of the body. Also the outlining of the caudal fin.

 

[rayray]

female bartletts anthia

notice the duller, uniformly colored body and mostly yellow caudal fin

 

[Skidazl]

Here are pics of Kat's Anthias, oh wait these aren't them, they are MINE!!!
This first pic and the last one are of what I believe to be the females.

These next 4 pics are of the "Male". Notice the yellow vertical stripe beginning midway back on his body, this is non-existent on the females. Also, the very front of his dorsal fin is longer, though you can't tell in the pics.

 

[ReeferChick85]

no no Dave those are MINE!! Let me babysit them for you k hahaha!!

I'll give you one of my acans for them!!

 

[Skidazl]

no no Dave those are MINE!! Let me babysit them for you k hahaha!!

You have to babysit the dogs and the teenagers, too...:lol:

I'll give you one of my acans for them!!

You already did, look at the last pic again...:the20man: