Anthias. The good, the bad, and the questions

[banjowalker]

I believe I have got my tenative stock list set. That being said, I need some more information on anthias. I have heard some species are very picky eaters. I have also heard that some are very difficult with the male to female ratio. Can anyone tell me their experience or share with me their knowledge about anthias. I would like some that are very colorful and a small school such as 4. I really like the look of the bartletts and the carberryi anthias.

 

[indyjaco]

I had issues with my Barlett pair being mean to other similar looking fish (Wrasses) and another smaller bartlett I added later

They eat about anything and were very active though in my 125.

What is your tank size?

 

[SoloChromis]

I have never personally kept a Bartlett's in any of my own tanks, but going off of what I saw while working at a LFS for a year, and dealing with hundreds of these fish, (some of which were in the 3,500g display tank long term), they are an aggressive species. Our main display, despite it's enormous size, was left with one solo Bartlett's, as he had slowly knocked off all the others in the tank over a relatively short period of time. IME by far the best 2 species that I have seen peacefully coexist, long term, would be the resplendent (Pseudanthias pulcherrimus) and the Lori's (Pseudanthias lori). Both gorgeous little species, and both typically school together very well, with little aggression. Just keep them well fed by feeding multiple times a day, with small portions of food each feeding, and they *should* do well. Both species are some of the hardiest anthias in my experience as well. Good luck!

 

[suta4242]

You are right in that some, not all, species are difficult feeders and that establishing an optimum group size, IME, is not always easy. Furthermore, most smaller species require multiple feelings daily and still need reasonably high water quality.

Here is a tenative stock list for My 75 gal mixed reef.

Sailfin tang
Fuzzy dwarf lion
Mandarin goby
Black Saddleback clown x 2
Lunare wrasse
Dwarf flame angel
Ruby red dragonet

JMO, but thats a difficult long term stock list to maintain in a 75 and I wouldn't add any anthias to it.

HTH and good luck!

 

[banjowalker]

You are right in that some, not all, species are difficult feeders and that establishing an optimum group size, IME, is not always easy. Furthermore, most smaller species require multiple feelings daily and still need reasonably high water quality.


JMO, but thats a difficult long term stock list to maintain in a 75 and I wouldn't add any anthias to it.

HTH and good luck!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2456169 this will show my updated stock list. I figured out that won't be the best so the later of the two stock list is what I'm currently looking at.

 

[Jasanden]

Go for the carberry I . Not seen as much as the bartletts and in my experience more passive and just as pretty. Only draw back is they are a slightly larger species for a 75 but you should probably be ok with a group of 3 or so.