Anthias Number?

[wright4941]

Im thinking about purchasing some lyretail or dispar anthias for my 90G. Has anyone kept just two anthias? I know the suggested amount is at least three, but was wondering what peoples experiences are with this. Thanks

 

[davocean]

I've read some comments that a male may focus a little too much bullying on the one female as opposed to having a group that share that badgering making it easier on them.
Lyretails are usually much easier to keep than dispars.
Either way I think I would have at least 3.

 

[Ostara]

I have two dispars (male and female) in one of my tanks. I'd have bought a trio but they came into the store just as a pair. The male doesn't bully the female and is actually pretty shy in comparison to her, but I think that's just his personality and not indicative of male dispars in general. If you really want just a pair I'd try it with the dispars and not the lyretails because they're more mellow, but be prepared to add another female if the male bullies the one you have. It also depends upon which species you like better of course. As mentioned the lyretails are easier to keep, but also get larger and can apparently be fairly aggressive towards one another.

And hey, you're in Modesto? I'm in Fresno, unfortunately. I can't believe that we seem to have skipped winter entirely this year and gone from fall to spring. :lol:

 

[fishnerd]

I have 8 lyretails and 4 dispars and one lg male lori's all
In my 90 gallon among other fishes, had all anthias since january. HTH I think the larger number helps with aggression

Bryan

 

[Bernie21]

I bought 3, the stronger 2 bullied the weakest one & now only 2 remain and have remained for about 2 years. The male picks on the female here and there, but not too bad or too often, she holds her own.

 

[divewsharks]

I bought 3, the stronger 2 bullied the weakest one & now only 2 remain and have remained for about 2 years. The male picks on the female here and there, but not too bad or too often, she holds her own.

I had this happen as well. Purchased the three dispars about 3 months ago, after a couple of months, I was down to 2. The remaining 2 seem to get along fine.

 

[davocean]

My dispars seemed very different in nature to my lyretails, more mellow, but they seemed more sensitive, and I too had some just never eat and die.
The couple that survived were not aggressive at all.