Anthias for a 3ft tank?

[njudson]

Are there any anthias that would do well in a group of 3 in a 40g breeder? I'm assuming the answer is no. Looking for some open water swimmers to round out my tank. Can't have a wrasse because it will compete with my mandarin. Maybe a group of apogon cardinals would be best but I don't like the look too much. Ideas?

ps feel free to tell me I can't have a dragonette and a tang in such a small tank I'm well aware mr tang will need a new home in the future and I can still find tons of pods in tank after 2 months of the mandarin's constant hunting

 

[SDguy]

Flasher warsses are small, open water swimmers, that won't really compete with your mandarin, being planktivores.

 

[klepto]

If your mandarin is regularly being offered prepared foods then I wouldn't worry too much about pods. I know people that have kept pairs of mandarins long term in a small tanks with small pod populations- just by feeding them regularly.

I would avoid anthias for that sized tank. Like Peter mentioned, some sort of wrasse may be a good option.

 

[njudson]

Thanks for the tip about the flasher wrasses. Do they require sand to sleep or do they sleep in the rocks? I've only got about 1" of sand max

 

[SDguy]

No, they don't need sand.

 

[Mel-E-Mel]

Sunburst anthias may work for you. I have 2 in a 36"x15x36". They like to hang out under overhangs.

 

[wfournier]

I would think dispars would be ok from my experience, but LA disagrees.

 

[njudson]

Picked up a flasher wrasse today not sure if hes P. filamentosus or P. carpenteri. Tail looks like the Carpenter's I'll post a pic when he stops hiding. I never realized that fairy and flasher wrasses were planktonic feeders. Though all wrasses ate like Halichoeres.

 

[klepto]

Sweet. You shouldn't have trouble getting your wrasse eating! How big is your new fish?

 

[uhuru]

A single sunburst anthias would work provided you have some caves. They don't really swim around. I have a pair and one of them is almost always in the cave. The other shoals with the cardinals (and cardinals don't really swim around they just hover in one spot). They really like having their hiding spots.

 

[njudson]

Sweet. You shouldn't have trouble getting your wrasse eating! How big is your new fish?

He's 2" - 2.5" I would estimate. Hopefully he comes out tomorrow when the lights come on :bounce3:

 

[njudson]

Can definitely see why people say these guys jump.

 

[snorvich]

Yes, they DO jump

 

[klepto]

Nice wrasse! What is it eating so far?

 

[demonclownfish]

might be a mccoskers, mine jumped into the back compartment of my biocube lol

 

[rssjsb]

Not a McCoskers - too many dorsal rays.

 

[njudson]

I'm thinking he is Carpenter's or possibly a Yellow fin. Working on fixing any small openings in my mesh top now. I've seen this guys jump and hit the screen twice after my tang shows aggression.

 

[nygiants72]

Anthias usually swim in one location. I do not believe that a 3 ft tank would make much of a difference compare to having tangs or angels.

 

[njudson]

Anyone want to chime in and confirm this is P. carpenteri? He's settling in just fine. Ate the pe mysis and NLS pellets I fed the tank yesterday and even better his constant swimming out in the open seems to draw my other fish out to play which is what I wanted. Looks like im fully and happily stocked.