Anthias Or Something Else in a 66G ?

[Reef Frog]

I have a Red Sea Max 250 - 36" long, front to back almost 18", depth 20", irs a mature LPS/SPS tank, plenty of live rock, under stocked w 4 small fish. Plenty of hiding places. My fish are rock dwellers & perchers * and I would like a/some open water swimming fish.

How many Anthias would be advisable, if any? Figure on the most hardy - Bartletts Anthias probably, which LA suggests a 70 gallon withan adult size of 3".

MY QUESTIONS:

-Would like to have 3. Advisable? Do they do well as singles? I've always seen them in multiples.

-I know many species are challenging & want to stay away from them. Any others to consider like Lyretails? But I am thinking Bartletts bc they're easy to get, colorful and reputed to be the most hardy. Is that right?

- OK to QT 3 juveniles or even adult s in a 10 gallon?

-I've read they need to eat multiple times per day. Is twice a day enough? That's doable 97% of the time. I have all kinds of frozen - Reef Frenzy, fish eggs, krill, cyclops, Mysis. What happens if a day or two is missed? Is that going to be fatal?Am I likely to be successful getting them to eat pellets or other dry food from an auto feeder if I'm gone for 7-10 days if necessary? What's the real story on feeding. A LFS guy said just feed like any other fish, once a day being fine, but I'm doubting this advice.

- Are they likely to be out front on a regular basis? I have enough semi shy fish already. I don't have any aggressive fish to threaten them.

- I know virtually any fish can jump. But how to Bartletts Anthias rate? Are they in the same class as wrasses for example?

- What about sexing individuals? Will getting 2 males by mistake be a colossal mistake? Or will they always self adjust properly bc of hermaphroditism?

- Any other pointers, advice or opinions? Please share your experiences. Many thanks in advance!

* CURRENT FISH: Royal Gramma, Yellow Goby, Geometric Hawk (small 1.5/2" perchlet, Yellow Assessor)

 

[ca1ore]

My Bartlett trio are already 4" and very chippy, so maybe a bit big for your tank. They eat anything, so that's something. My current favorites are resplendents, if which I have 11 in my tank. They stay small, are aggressive eaters and only dive for the rocks when a bigger fish chases them. I do feed my tanks 3x a day, but skip days at a time when away for work.

 

[Reef Frog]

Interesting Simon, thanks. LA has made a few mistakes in the past on adult sizing and here's another example. (Chalk bass were another).

Do you think a single Bartlett or Resplendent is advisable in a 3' tank? Is it ever advisable to just have 1 member of this species in any tank? Are they likely to pick on other small fish.

 

[BleuFish]

I have one bartlett's anthias in a 75. Seems to be fine being the only anthias, peaceful fish. I feed him small amounts 3x a day with nls pellets with an auto feeder. The feeder got caught on my screen and didn't feed the fish for atleast a day before I saw it. So as far as I know bartlett's can skip one day probably more.

 

[shred5]

I like dispar or ignitus in smaller tanks and you could get away with 3.

They do not show the aggression allot of anthias show by killing each other off. They also shoal more than most anthias.
They are easy to get to eat and stay small.

They dont ship well but if you get them past the first week are super hardy. If you can get juveniles they seem to do better.

Like allot of anthias they require allot of feedings. I would not feed any anthias less than 3 times aday and most should be fed more. I know some people dont but I believe this is not good for them and can hurt them long term.
So a good skimmer or another nutrient export method may be needed.
Mine rally like cyclops, small msysis and their favorite is PE calanus.

 

[ca1ore]

Interesting Simon, thanks. LA has made a few mistakes in the past on adult sizing and here's another example. (Chalk bass were another).

Hah, yes, chalk bass. I really like them, but I bought 8, figuring I'd lose a few and end up with five 2" fish. Nope, still have 7 and many are pushing 3". Oh well.