anthias input needed

[jayinh]

i am looking for some input of the different types. what are some common and some to stay away from..if any. looking for a group that will stay out in the open areas of the tank.what is good number of these to purchase? also should/can then all be placed at the same time? current fish are, 4 green chromis, 1 leopard wrasse,1 mandarin. tank is a mixed reef 125 about 6 months old. any input will be appreciated.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

Stay away from evansi, bartletts, and purple queen anthias.

I would suggest resplendents, lyretails, ignitus, and dispar.

 

[jayinh]

good to know. what about numbers?.... how many is a good amount? 1 male right?

 

[sedgro]

Why should he stay away from Bartlett's? Possibly the most robust anthias available and always from areas with good collection practices like the Marshall Is. & Christmas Is.. I would add bicolor anthias as another good choice.


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[SDguy]

Why should he stay away from Bartlett's? Possibly the most robust anthias available and always from areas with good collection practices like the Marshall Is. & Christmas Is.. I would add bicolor anthias as another good choice.


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IME bartletts tend to usually turn male and fight, and are the most aggressive anthias of the ones mentioned in this thread so far.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

Thank you SDguy, that is why I said to stay away from them. For numbers you want only one male unless your tank is huge. You can usually keep them singly, pairs, tiros, or harems. There are some anthias that seem to turn male more often than not. From being on RC, I see resplendents are often recommended by snorvich because they tend to stay female more so with 1 male.

 

[SDguy]

Actually, besides the normal problems with bartletts, I had one go crazy, as it was the only bartlett in the tank. It literally attacked every other anthias in the tank, trying to be "dominant." I captured and removed it.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

Definantly going to stay away from them then!

 

[SDguy]

It's really a shame, since they are SO pretty and SO hardy

 

[Reefing Newbie]

I know! Just like its a shame that flame wrasse females turn male even though you have a male! I am really te tempted to try out a trio of flame wrasses from PIA because they are cheap on females. If they turn male, I will just have to sell them...

 

[billyzbear]

I had a bad exp. with a lyretail male. He was very aggressive. I started with two females then one and later just the male. He never allowed another fish to be add. Killed a few wrasses and a blue tang. Finally added a purple tang and he fought with him regularly especially during feeding. At the end his fins were long like streemers. He was red and yellow. Try a trio of one of the others mentioned.
That being said, I going to try a pair of bimacs. A LFS store has a pair for a long time but they won't sell them. They seem mellow and look really cool.
With anthias you'll need to feed atleast twice a day.
Have the chromis started fighting yet?

 

[xxtriggermanxx]

Going to throw Squarespots in to the exchange of ideas. they do get pretty large but are hardy and beautiful. also fairly cheap... no matter which one you pick my advise is to get all females. they change fairly quickly and if you get a female already in the act of the switch with another male you could have issues.

 

[jayinh]

Have the chromis started fighting yet? they chase each other around but the four i started with 6 months ago are all still alive, so thats good.

im going to keep an eye out at the LFS and see whats in stock, thanks for all the input here guys.

 

[xxtriggermanxx]

Show me a chromis that looks this good !

 

[Reefing Newbie]

I can't triggerman!

 

[Ferguson1977]

Not to hijack but maybe this will help the original poster. I am considering adding an ignitus or resplendent anthia. Which one is more peaceful?

I've only seen pictures of the ignitus but it appears the colors are brighter than the resplendent. Is this true or are they similarly bright? The resplendent looks bright in some pics and dull in others.

Finally, I have a 65G tank with 70lbs of rock. Any chance I'd be ok with 2 of either species if I start them out as small females? When adding more then 1, it seems the standard recommendation is 3+ and 120G+. I don't hear much about keeping 2 in a 50-100G system and if that would be successful.

I am looking for a bright colored anthia that is super peaceful (won't spook my BSJF and swissguard). The ignitus is at the top of my list from what I've read...is there anything else I should entertain?

 

[billyzbear]

Ferguson, you should look into some wrasses. Your tank isn't big enough. Anthias are active fish.

 

[SDguy]

Furgesun, think about sunset or princess anthias. Smaller, and still gorgeous.

 

[snorvich]

IME bartletts tend to usually turn male and fight, and are the most aggressive anthias of the ones mentioned in this thread so far.

I agree. I personally would not try them again. I love resplendants, carberryi, and have had good luck with Evansi although I would not repeat that experience.

 

[Ferguson1977]

Thanks SD, I'll look into those!