Best anthias?

[DSPs]

I'm starting a new build and having a custom 36.5x24.5x18.5 built as we speak total 70 gals, I would really like to put anthias in this tank and nothing else,my question is what anthias do you guys think would be best? I like lyrtail and they seem to be most popular but if there any others that would be ok please let me know! If somehow someone talks me out of anthias then I will probally put a school of blue green chromis either way I want a species only tank, Thanks in advance!

 

[bullitr]

Evansi will be best IMO

The do best if they are the only species in the tank.

 

[DSPs]

Evansi will be best IMO

The do best if they are the only species in the tank.

I'll look those up now thanks!

 

[bullitr]

Its very docile anthias but very pretty.

 

[DSPs]

Its very docile anthias but very pretty.

Yes they are beautiful my wife loves them! Do they regularly eat dry and frozen foods?

 

[Barracuda]

So, so, so many choices.......
Considering your tank size, I would stay with some of the smaller & easier to maintain species....

Ignitus, Dispar, Randalls, Lori, Pulcherrimus, or parvirostris

P. evansi are nice; however, they are not a beginners or an easy species to maintain longterm.

Remember lyretails will bigger/ stocky....than you think.

 

[DSPs]

So, so, so many choices.......
Considering your tank size, I would stay with some of the smaller & easier to maintain species....

Ignitus, Dispar, Randalls, Lori, Pulcherrimus, or parvirostris

P. evansi are nice; however, they are not a beginners or an easy species to maintain longterm.

Remember lyretails will bigger/ stocky....than you think.

Thanks for the info! I'm not a beginner as far as keeping reef tanks and most fish but I am a beginner at anthias lol I just did a quick read and the majority say the avansi are some of the harder ones to keep like u said, so what do you think about Bartlett?I mentioned lyrtail because there mainly the only species we ever order at my work because they do so well but they do get bigger so if I could find another species that would be great

 

[Barracuda]

Bart's are a very easy to keep.
Bart's quickly convert to males in aquarium settings and can get a little fiesty btw conspic's in smaller tanks.

You can also mix the various anthias that I listed.

You could also be different and keep some of the "Slender" anthias

 

[H.reidi.MN]

I love my dispar. The male is amazing and loves flashing everyone

 

[DSPs]

I love my dispar. The male is amazing and loves flashing everyone

So disbars do fine alone? My wife is wanting other fish in the tank so I may not be able to do a species only tank lol so if there's anthias that do well single or in pairs that may be a better option for me, Really I'm just looking for any ideas I can get right now, I know I want anthias just not sure how many or what kind haha

 

[H.reidi.MN]

No fish needs to be paired or grouped to be happy. Anthias are a fish that simply school together most the time which is why people prefer more than one. If your looking to add only one I would look for something more unique or interesting. Diapar are one of the better schooling anthias and I would add 3-5 .

 

[SDguy]

Fathead anthias are beautiful, and do fine alone, and I think are well suited to a smaller tank.

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

I dont know your wife, but most would not at all be unhappy with a nice mix 2-4 groups of different anthias. For something different look into subbing in a tilefish pair, if you can keep anthias, you should be able to manage these. I think then there may still be niche for something like one of the sailfin blennies.

 

[euod]

Fathead gets to 5".
Evansi is best bang for your $

 

[SDguy]

Fathead gets to 5".

But their behavior is much more sedentary than regular pseudanthias, making them an ideal centerpiece anthias for a smaller tank. Evansi are large (only 1 cm smaller than fatheads according to fishbase) and delicate/difficult to keep, energetic swimmers... a very poor choice IMO.

 

[trackhazard]

I agree with SDGuy about evansi after watching them being cared for first hand.

The only problems I have with fathead as a centerpiece fish is that, as Peter mentioned, they are rather sedentary. The one my wife had seemed to be an anomaly as it would stay near the bottom of the tank but would enjoy schooling with the other anthias as they came out to the center. But in other peoples tanks, you'd really have to sit and watch for a while before they would come out. Not really what I would consider an active fish and might be a little sedate for something that is supposed to be the tank focus. Other than that though, they are a spectacular find. Fairly hardy, beautiful and have really interesting behaviors. Only other drawbacks are price and availability.

For OPs tank, I'd vote for bartletts, ignitus or dispars. All the other anthias get either too big or are really hard to keep.

-Charlie

 

[Barracuda]

But their behavior is much more sedentary than regular pseudanthias, making them an ideal centerpiece anthias for a smaller tank. Evansi are large (only 1 cm smaller than fatheads according to fishbase) and delicate/difficult to keep, energetic swimmers... a very poor choice IMO.

As SDGuy mentions, P. evansi is not a good "generalized" choice for most.

Sunbursts (fathead) - Very rarely will you ever see a "listed" max. size specimen.

A pair or trio would make a great addition, and will peacefully coexist with the smaller species that I listed earlier in the thread.

 

[Scridifer]

I agree with SDGuy about evansi after watching them being cared for first hand.

The only problems I have with fathead as a centerpiece fish is that, as Peter mentioned, they are rather sedentary. The one my wife had seemed to be an anomaly as it would stay near the bottom of the tank but would enjoy schooling with the other anthias as they came out to the center. But in other peoples tanks, you'd really have to sit and watch for a while before they would come out. Not really what I would consider an active fish and might be a little sedate for something that is supposed to be the tank focus. Other than that though, they are a spectacular find. Fairly hardy, beautiful and have really interesting behaviors. Only other drawbacks are price and availability.

-Charlie

I have two smallish Fatheads that are out and about all the time. Not what I was expecting after my research into them but a pleasant surprise.

Chris

 

[faithenfire]

I don't know much about the anthias, but the Pictilis Anthias is simply gorgeous. we had some come in to the lfs. seriously, stunning fish

 

[H.reidi.MN]

Also might want to read around on the Bartletts. They were my #1 but after researching found most people reported females all or most turning male....