Any Anthias That's Not Dangerously Finicky Eater, Doesn't Ravage CUCs or Carpet Surf

[Buzz1329]

I'm looking to add a school of 6-8 Anthias to my 180 reef, which currently houses:

Yellow Tang
Purple Tang
Foxface Lo
Scribbled Foxface
Six Line Wrasse
Yellow Tail Damsel

I don't know whether one exists, but I'm looking for an Anthias species that compared to other Anthias:

Is not such a finicky eater;

Will stay in an uncovered tank;

Is not ravenous when it comes to CUCs, live shrimp, or other good things;

Is relatively hardy.

Seems like every time I settle on one (Dispar, Lyretail, etc), I do further research and find badness (and not the good kind of badness either).
Based on your experience, and the above criteria, which one(s) would you recommend?

 

[davocean]

Lyretails

 

[Buzz1329]

Ha! I had my eye on them but then I read a post describing them as "evil," Hannibell Lector-like, and devourer of snails, crabs, and fish. After seeing your post, I went back to the other one and realized the other post was referring to Lyretail WRASSES. Thanks for setting me straight.

 

[ca1ore]

No anthias I have ever kept bothers snails or crabs. Lyretails and Bartletts are the easiest to feed but both will jump.

 

[Buzz1329]

No anthias I have ever kept bothers snails or crabs. Lyretails and Bartletts are the easiest to feed but both will jump.

Thanks. Guess I'll have to look into covering the tank. For those who have covered tanks with screen or eggcrate, does that significantly reduce PAR values in DT?

 

[davocean]

Use the BRS screen kit, won't affect anything at all.
All fish can jump, so I did not go that into it, but I agree, a net cover is the responsible thing to do if you don't have a canopy.

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

Stocky anthias (pinks) are easy.

 

[jnc914]

IMO, these are some of the easiest anthias for a 180, in no particular order:

Bartletts, Lyretails, Carberryi, Dispar, Resplendent. All look great and are relatively cheap also.

I have kept all of them, with relative ease, in a screen covered tank. Just make sure to QT and definitely treat with Prazi & Metro.

 

[ca1ore]

Thanks. Guess I'll have to look into covering the tank. For those who have covered tanks with screen or eggcrate, does that significantly reduce PAR values in DT?

Eggcrate does block quite a bit, but the BRS 1/4 inch netting works very well. I used it along with a screen kit from Home Depot and built two screens for less than 20 bucks.

 

[Jmason95]

I'd go with Dispars or Ignitus - I think they fit your criteria. Lyretails are beautiful, and keep their color well, but get bigger (compared to Dispars and Ignitus) and sometimes get aggressive. Bartletts can get aggressive too and as they get bigger they tend to fade and loose color.

I have an open top (canopy and no screen) and keep Dispars and Ignitus together. I've had only one jump.

Sometimes you just have to go for it. If I were you, I'd get a group, maybe 5, 7 or 9 of Dispars or Ignitus. Get small ones and quarantine them. Start them off with frozen cyclops, prawn roe and mysis. Take a razor and shave frozen mysis into smaller pieces. I've had great success with Anthias going this route.

Currently I feed mine twice a day - cyclops when I get home, mysis about 3 hours later. I was feeding just once a day (mysis) for over a year with no problems. I picked up some Evansi's and since then decided to go with feedings twice a day.

Lastly, (sorry for the long post ) Dispars and Ignitus tend to hang out as a group more. You'll catch them throughout the day balled together which looks really cool.

 

[E Rosewater]

My bartletts eat anything, flake, pellet, frozen

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

1/2" mounted close to the water lets fish through, but doesn't let them back in the water; don't use 1/2" unless it's several inches about the water, such as for a canopy top.

 

[Buzz1329]

Thanks everyone who responded. Very helpful.

I'll get the 1/4" screen kit from BRS.

Will also go with the Lyretails (1 male and 6 female) and quarantine them using the protocol in this article:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/quarantining-marine-fish-made-simple

 

[betamed]

Stocky anthias (pinks) are easy.

I have these mixed with lyretails and they do very well