Anthia q's

[Wrench]

I'm setting up a new 120 here shortly and one of my plans is to have a few Anthias in the tank so I'm starting my research now. I would like to have some Lyretails since they seem to be easier to come by and hardier from what I've been told.

Questions;

1.) Would it be healthy to have only one or two in a 120g? I see alot of people with larger groups. Other fish would include chromis, clowns, hawkfish and a tang or two.

2.) How succeptable are they to diseases and how hardy are they?

3.) Are they more likely than other fish to introduce any kinds or parasites or disease to my system?

4.) Have they got any special requirements I should know about?

thx!

 

[Zach117]

Lyretails are a good choice, one of the hardiest.

One is ok I wouldnt do two because if you had a male and a female or two females, one one probably morph into a male then would constantly pick on the one female IME. So three to four is better than two.

Don't know about the parasites, not likely.

If you keep these guys well feed they will do great. Twice a day is a good number to shoot for. I have had success and good health introducing them and feeding them mostly mysis.

 

[mattyice]

lyretails are one of the hardiest anthias

i agree with zach try and get a school going, that will increase the odds of them staying together and and only one staying male, also try and get smaller females (2") and a single larger male (3") that will also increase your odds

in terms of hardiness to disease and parasites in my experience anthias are about as tough as nails to ich and parasites, i have had ich breakouts in my tank and never has an anthias gotten ich, lyretails are really hardy and with proper feeding they will be colorful and will really stick out in your aquarium

i would try and get them eating large amounts once a day, most anthias are active and dont really eat enough to last them through a day in a single feeding, my P. Flavicauda though are pigs, when i got them they were needing mysis twice a day, now they eat parts of krill, parts of silversides, mysis, brine, my own reef food, and i just got them eating the tiny spectrum pellets, now they eat enough in a single feeding to get them through the day but i like feeding them more often to get their colors vibrant and to let them grow faster

 

[ruiny]

I feed my lyretails once a day and they are doing great.
I really like these fish, great colour, very active, docile (except for the male to other females)
One thing i would note is i lost 2 from carpet surfing, so I would reccomend a top of some sort.

 

[Wrench]

Sounds good, that is some great info. Thanks!

I feed the tank twice a day as it is with a variety of foods to keep everyone happy. I was trying to avoid having 3 or 4 simply because that number would limit the amount of other fish I could have. If it's healthier for them then I will definitely think about it.

 

[CarlC]

I would go with a group of 4. One male and three young females. They are one of the easier species to keep and seem to fair ok with only two feedings a day. If you can feed more they would not argue. Pseudanthias, especially the shallow water species, need good brisk water movement.

As for parasites and disease they are just as prone as most other fish. A month in QT will help out greatly by giving you the chance to observe them and make sure things are well.

Carl

 

[stanlalee]

I have a male and 3 females and they have been bullet proof and easy to keep so far. The Male and midas blenny get into it from time to time but nothing major. I alternate between feeding once a day and twice a day. The male in particular is a very pretty fish. Took a while to get them eating flakes but they didn't take long to get eating frozen at all. I got mine from live aquaria and I made the mistake of putting the male in with the tank lights on. As soon as he touched the water he leaped about 2ft from the tank but none have tried to jump since and leave my canopy lid open frequently

 

[pepeinthenavy]

Check this out

http://www.reefland.com/rho/1105/cover7.php