Anthias and Copperband longevity?

[Scuba Dog]

I have been basicly not very active in the hobby the last five years or so. At the moment I have just a few fish in my twin 180s system. I was wondering if any advances were made in keeping copperband butterflys and anthias in the last few years, back when I was more active in the hobby they were considered a bit of a challenge.

 

[ilikefish34]

There's a good thread on here if you do a search for Copperband primer.

As for the anthias (there are good searches for them as well), there have been more people having success with the Purple Queens and Evansi Anthias with frequent feedings over small sized foods... but they are both still very delicate fish and getting healthy ones from a reputable source being highly important and plenty of failure stories along with the success. I've received advice on this forum before to add them after already having a peaceful and hardy species such as Ignitus or Dispar. The thought is that the more delicate species would adapt more quickly to aquarium life if they join an already acclimated shoal. The hardiest of them are the Lyre-tails and Bartlett's. They readily take to the aquarium and prepared foods but a bit more care needs to be taken when choosing tank mates since they can show varying signs of aggression whereas the previously mentioned do not except amongst other males of the same species. Also, it's easy to purchase females that are subordinate males that are ready to change color.

Oh, QT is a good start and they STILL JUMP!!!

Good luck
Mike

 

[Jwill1212]

In my last tank, a 240 gallon cube, I had a Purple Tang, Yellow Tang and a copperband that were all at least 7 years old when we sold the house. Not sure how much longer they lived after we sold the house. Also had a Marine Betta that was at least 10 years old.