Are there any anthias species that don't need to be fed multiple times per day?

[Spork3245]

Still trying to figure out what to get as my final purchase(s) for my 90 gallon DT reef tank... I always liked the color of Anthias but the feeding requirements of 2-3 times per day just isn't going to happen. Once per day is the best I can do. Are there any species that would be okay with once per day like the Ignitus Anthias? I would likely get a trio. Tank mates would be two wrasses (one fairy, one flasher), a one-spot foxface, a royal gramma, a neon cleaner goby, a diamond goby and two clowns (plus CUC and shrimps).

I always thought that all Anthias species needed to bed fed, at a minimum, two times per day (ideally three), however a gentleman I buy the majority of my corals from told me there are some species that are fine with once per day, so I figured I'd come post/ask on here to confirm.

 

[Daniel62]

Lyretail would probably fill this bill, especially if you have a mature tank.

 

[jbvdhp]

Lyretail would probably fill this bill, especially if you have a mature tank.

Yup. I feed my tank at least once a day, and maybe 2-3 days of the week, 2x/day and cyclops at night.

They're healthy and dont kill one another.

 

[Spork3245]

Hmmm, so the Ignitus wouldn't fit-the-bill? I like their coloration better haha
I'm just curious as the Ignitus is the only one listed as "easy" on the LiveAquaria.com ... Plus those oranges

Buuuuut the Lyretail seems nice, just not a fan of the males coloration since my Royal Flasher Wrasse is already colored similarly.

 

[CHSUB]

bicolor, imo, would be your best bet!!!

 

[Spork3245]

bicolor, imo, would be your best bet!!!

Oh, is my 90 gallon big enough for the bicolor? I thought they needed a 6' tank due to the amount they swim (or something).
I'd love 2-3 bicolor! :fun4:

 

[CHSUB]

Oh, is my 90 gallon big enough for the bicolor? I thought they needed a 6' tank due to the amount they swim (or something).
I'd love 2-3 bicolor! :fun4:

scott michael says 55 gallon for one....i would only get one in a 90, they are a little feisty. maybe 3 lyretails would be better?

 

[bat21]

I am considering a fathead sunburst for this same reason. They can be kept alone and don't swim around as much as other anthias, which in theory makes them not require as many feedings. However they are found in deeper water so they prefer low intensity lighting. I have a smaller tank and can't get a trio, so this is my best option. But I'm still leaning towards passing him over for a hardier fish.

 

[Spork3245]

How about the Les Village Dispar Anthias species (Pseudanthias dispar)? Think I could get away with once/day feedings with them? They also stay small and it seems I could easily keep 3 in my 90.
Otherwise I'm REALLY liking the Fathead Sunburst (I'd likely just get 1 or 2 with the Fathead).

 

[kmbyrnes]

My Lyretails are fat and happy with just 2 feedings daily. I assume they hunt other stuff in the rocks.

 

[anbosu]

My Lyretails are fat and happy with just 2 feedings daily. I assume they hunt other stuff in the rocks.

I've seen the one in my 90 eat pods.

 

[GSMclowns]

Lyretail Anthias can survive on 1 feeding a day and they do get fat and thrive. However, if you don't feed them a variety of foods and multiple times a day, they will lose color and get quite ugly after about a year or so.

 

[Spork3245]

Lyretail Anthias can survive on 1 feeding a day and they do get fat and thrive. However, if you don't feed them a variety of foods and multiple times a day, they will lose color and get quite ugly after about a year or so.

Oh... Hmmm... Well that changes everything

 

[Spork3245]

So... I was doing some extra research and now I'm curious; do the colors fade from "lack of multiple feedings" or from tanks being too bright and/or lack of females?
Very interested in getting a trio of pseudanthias dispar... But I just know I can't feed 2-3 times per day on any type of regular basis. :\

 

[ca1ore]

I think the answer is, it depends. Anthias are all wild caught, and in the wild they have evolved to eat small amount pretty much continuously. Doesn't mean you cannot train them to eat more, less frequently; you just probably wont be consistently successful if you try it right from the start with a new fish. No matter what you ask, there will always be somebody who pipes up saying some variation of 'I'm doing it already'. Doesn't make it a good idea.

My own experience with anthias, which is more than most, is that it is hard to get them to thrive long-term (more than a year) and maintain their colors on a single daily feeding. Can it be done for a while with some of the easier kept species, yes. Is it advisable, in my opinion no.

 

[Spork3245]

I think the answer is, it depends. Anthias are all wild caught, and in the wild they have evolved to eat small amount pretty much continuously. Doesn't mean you cannot train them to eat more, less frequently; you just probably wont be consistently successful if you try it right from the start with a new fish. No matter what you ask, there will always be somebody who pipes up saying some variation of 'I'm doing it already'. Doesn't make it a good idea.

My own experience with anthias, which is more than most, is that it is hard to get them to thrive long-term (more than a year) and maintain their colors on a single daily feeding. Can it be done for a while with some of the easier kept species, yes. Is it advisable, in my opinion no.

Got it, sounds like Anthias just aren't for me then. It's a shame because I've always wanted to keep them with their coloration. It's not even a "I don't want all those extra nutrients in my tank!" type of thing, it's a "I don't have the time/ability to consistently feed them twice per day".

 

[gusmanda]

try getting an automatic feeder, I used one to feed 3-4 times per day, plus I gave a feeding of frozen food in the evening

 

[Editour2]

Once acclimated and eating.....you can use an automatic fish feeder to supply small amounts of dry food 2 to 4 times a day.

 

[Spork3245]

This will likely sound ridiculous, but I always worry that an automatic feeder will malfunction and drown my tank in food

 

[Spork3245]

I'm thinking of getting a trio of the pseudanthias dispar and seeing if I'm able to feed them twice per day. I think I could pull-it-off at least 5-6 days out of the week as long as I set a reminder for the first couple of weeks to "get in the habit" before leaving for work each day. If I wind up being unable to, they get thin or their colors start to fade from not getting enough food I'll probably have a give-away thread on the NJ Reefers Club sub-forum