Anthias Mixed Shoal Choices...

[matt the fiddler]

I am looking at putting a shoal of Anthias in my 180 (basically built the tank and fuges to be an ideal enviroment for them)

I have done a fair amount of reading, though can't find exactly what I need in regards to mixing shoals (have gone reef fishes vol 1 highlighted and marked up, and several other sources)

So, my choices are

#1 the default- one species (Lyretail/ Squamipinnis) with the 8-1 ratio

or

#2 a mixed shoal, which I would prefer.

IF I mix the Shoal, I am looking at some ratio of the Lyretail, Dispair, and Barlett's. All 3 of these seem to form mixed aggregations with each other.
I know Lyretails are the most aggressive of the 3, which worries me the most. I know have to be carefull of the male shift/ male bullying. Three males in a tank worries me.
If I would do

Lyretail 4F 1M
Dispair 1M
Barlett's 1M (possibly 1F)

does that mixing sound plasuable?

Am I better to just sitck to 2 species?

Should I introduce all 7-10 Anthias at the same time, or one species at a time?

If I do a mixed, am I better to have one dominant species in the 7-1 ratio, then single males only of the others (Dispair and Barlett's)?


also... A side note- I hope to get a midas Blenny to join in the social mimickry.

 

[tinnghe]

After multilpes attemps of keeping a schoal of anthias, I found Ray barlette are the only one that is more active and more likely to survive.