6 \pi \eta R_p v_s$ is the friction force associated to the squirmer self-propulsion and $F_{att}$ is the absolute value of the attractive force at its minimum, corresponding to $r=(26/7)^{1/6}\sigma = 1.245\sigma$ for the long-range potential in Eq. \[eq:VLJmidrange\] and to $r=1.239\sigma$ for the short-range potential in Eq. \[eq:VLJshortrange\]. [On the one hand $\xi$ controls the competition between two mechanisms: the self-propulsion and the interaction strength. On the other hand the mechanisms that control the re-orientation of the particles are the active stress given by the $B_2$ squirmer parameter and the orientational-dependence of the potential which is modulated by the range and the strength of the interaction.]{}

Given that a squirmer travels its own size in a time $\tau = \frac{\sigma}{v_s}$, we perform simulations from $1450$ up to $3000$ $\tau$. Once the system reaches steady state, in a time window between $1000$ and $2000$ $\tau$, we carry out a systematic analysis of the dynamics of the squirmer suspension, considering $\xi$ from 0.1 to 10 and $\beta$ from -3 up to 3.

\[sec:Tools\]Analysis Tools
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In order to be able to establish the effect played by the anisotropy of the interaction between swimmers, we follow the procedure in Ref. [@SoftMatter17] and 