Anthias Feeding Question

[JerseyGuy]

Hi everyone, this is my first post, just had a quick question.

I just picked up two Anthias on the cheap from my local LFS that was going out of business. I understand I should feed them Mysis so I bought some frozen cubes and they're eating nicely.

My question is...can I feed my whole tank only the frozen Mysis? I was feeding everyone Formula One flakes without any problems.

Its a 75 gallon FOWLR tank (10 years old) with: clown, goby, cardinal, damsel, angel.

Thanks for the help.

 

[CODE3EMT]

Anthias are planktonic feeders and have a high metabolism. You will need to feed them a few times a day to ensure good health and coloration. That being said all your other livestock will eat frozen Mysis, but you want to vary their diet. Keep in mind feeding frozen all the time could lead to other issues.... So I've been told.

 

[JerseyGuy]

Other issues with frozen Mysis? I've heard feeding frozen might be a phosphate problem, but I run GFO so I'm not concerned, is there another problem with frozen that I'm unaware of?

And I have been feeding them several times a day, beautiful fish.

 

[CODE3EMT]

Then your Good to go. That's right..... Phosphate was what I heard could be a problem. I have a single Bartletts and he's eating NLS pellets.

 

[CuzzA]

A good mix of foods a few times a day will keep them happy. However, just two Anthias will likely result to one anthia as two males never get along and one male will beat up on a single female. 5 Anthias (1 male, 4 females) is usually the minimum to keep the beatings spread out amongst the harem.

As far as the comments on food and phosphates. Just the opposite is true. Flakes, pellets and nori will add much more phosphate than frozen foods. I rarely feed flakes or pellets. Mysis, pods, fish eggs, Cyclopeeze, reef frenzy are my preferred choice of foods. Keep in mind, there are no flakes or pellets naturally in the ocean.

 

[JerseyGuy]

Interesting point about the Anthias. They both came out of the same tank at the LFS. I've had them a week and they seem fine, they really don't even hang out together that much, they just swim around and mingle. And I've seen no aggression at all, I guess time will tell.

 

[CuzzA]

You may have a couple not so dominate males. Sometimes they'll coexist. Living at separate areas of the tank. But if I had to bet, once they get established the aggression (tail lashing) will start. Good luck I hope they prove typical behavior wrong.

 

[JerseyGuy]

BUT they're supposed to be schooling fish I didn't expect them to be homicidal! Do you think getting a third would help or just ride it out?

 

[CuzzA]

They are a schooling fish that maintains a harem. In the wild you'll typically find 1, maybe 2 males to 20 or so females.

What type of Anthia did you buy?

 

[Shawn O]

I was under the impression Anthias needed at least 125 gallons. Can they survive long-term in a 75?

 

[JerseyGuy]

They are Anthias Paravirostris, from the subgenera Mirolabrichthys. They are supposed to be the most passive, friendly, and smallest of the subs. From my research and from what LFS guy (whom I know and trust) told me, they should get a little over 2". But as always, we'll see.

FYI - I got the pair for $15 on the last day of a going out of business sale, hard to pass that up.

 

[CuzzA]

Definitely a good deal. Females are typically yellowish and males are orangish. If you have 2 females one or maybe both will turn male.

I would keep an eye on them and if you start noticing aggression I would buy 3 more females. I have 5 Bartletts in my 90. 1 large dominant male and 4 females. He beats on all of the girls all day.

Being that your tank is a fowlr will help because they need to be fed often which presents its challenges in terms of water quality.