anthias question

[gary504504]

I just received 9 lyretail anthias, all arrived nice and fat,all female and all seemed to be eating in the first feeding,I've read in every forum that I should feed at least 2 if not 3 Times a day, my local petshop, which is a very reputable saltwater only specialty shop, says I should only feed them once a day or I will have nitrate problems and to put them on my schedule, which goes against everything I've read, and I've read alot before even attempting anthias, but his 800 gallon display has a bunch of them, what do you guys think, will feeding 2 to 3 Times a day cause nitrate problems, and should I follow his advice and feed once a day

 

[Iowafisher]

How long has the tank been running with other fish in it

 

[gary504504]

Tanks been up about 3 months now, and the only other fish in the tank are 3 green chromis

 

[Iowafisher]

If the tank has gone through full cycle you should be ok to feed. I know people that feed 5 times a day. Just small amounts.

 

[gary504504]

Thanks, and I want to add another type of anthias something just as hardy as the lyretail but a different color, I like the purple of the bartletts but heard they can be extremely aggressive towards the lyretails, any suggestions

 

[Marshall O]

What size tank? That is a lot of bioload to add at once for a newer tank. I would keep an eye on ammonia and nitrites.

 

[gary504504]

It's a 130gal rimless, but I don't plan to add them now, I'll give my bacteria a chance to catch up, I just want to start reading up on the species I pick from rc members suggestions

 

[eatbreakfast]

Frequent smaller meals are best for anthias. I would take the amount of food your LFS suggests feeding during the one feeding and break it up to several feedings.

I have also found squamipinnis anthias to accept pellet foods rather easily, so using an auto feeder is an option with these guys.