Easy Anthias

[tony13]

I've been reading about all the different breeds of Anthias and can't decide of which ones to go with. The boss (read wife) likes them so I'd like to put a half a dozen in the tank. Which ones have most people had the best success with?

 

[Amphiprion]

Pseudanthias squamipinnis, or lyretail anthias is probably the hardiest, but may squabble amongst themselves. This can be a problem in smaller tanks and for already stressed individuals. My personal favorite is P. bartlettorum, or Bartletts' anthias. They are much more peaceful by comparison. If necessary they can easily be kept alone as well. It is not quite as hardy as squamipinnis, but still very hardy nonetheless. Both will need good frequent feedings of plankton-like fare.

 

[Horizon Canopy]

i think a safe bet would be bartlett's.

 

[jda]

Blue eye are easy and long lived in captivity.

 

[tony13]

I was thinking Bimacs but have read mixed reviews. The fish will be kept in a 210 so the size should be o.k. Bartletts would be good too.
jda, Are you talking about the cardinals?

 

[tom obrecht]

Unless you have had experience w/Bimacs I would pass for now. However they are VERY cool fish!! Maybe start with the Bartletts or Lyretails and add Bimacs down the road.

 

[t0mmy108]

bimacs can get big. i have a male and he is the dominant anthia in the tank. I agree with Tom Obrecht.

Although, this was my first time keeping bimacs and ventralis anthias and i haven't lost one yet. if you have a healthy setup and you do your homework, set the proper environment and acclimate them well....maybe you can do it too. I also added 5 dispars and they are all doing very well in the same system. And honestly, this was my first time keeping those as well. all my prior anthiian care was only with lyretails.

 

[anydarnthing]

I have 3 Bartletts and everyone of them will eat anything dropped into the tank they probably would eat a twinkie if I dropped it in and their getting bigger. My Bartletts even taught my Dispars to eat pellets and flake since when I got them they would only eat frozen, they like to school together.

 

[Milleme]

I also have two bartletts, they are very hardy, cool fish. Mine also will eat anything.

 

[brad23]

What about the square back?

 

[tony13]

Tom I saw your thread on the Anthias. Great looking fish and your doing what it takes to maintain them, awesome job. Me on the other hand am to lazy to do that much work, hence the "easy" Anthias.

 

[McCrary]

Does anyone have any experience with the purple queen anthias. I am interested in keeping them with a small purple tang and a goldflake in a reef tank. Would there be any compatibility problems?

 

[t0mmy108]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6911508#post6911508 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TurboSnail8898
Does anyone have any experience with the purple queen anthias. I am interested in keeping them with a small purple tang and a goldflake in a reef tank. Would there be any compatibility problems?

mine finally disappeared after about a month. they were the weekest of all anthias. i don't think i'll try those again. they are definately the chaepest though.

 

[MG21]

I've got 6 lyretails in my 240 and they are doing good. The only anthias i've tried, but seem to be pretty hardy.

 

[tony13]

MG21 did you get them as all females? or did you get one male in the mix? I plan on 6 also, Bartletts or Lyretails, do you wish you went with more than 6?

 

[Angel*Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6911508#post6911508 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TurboSnail8898
Does anyone have any experience with the purple queen anthias. I am interested in keeping them with a small purple tang and a goldflake in a reef tank. Would there be any compatibility problems?

I've had 2 for almost 3 months so far - The longest i've heard of anyone keeping them is 10 months -- well actually mine are P.tuka not pascalus but it's the same kind of problem, very similar fish

 

[MG21]

Tony, got mine all as females, only had them a month but they are eating like crazy (Mysis, brine,cyclopeeze, even some nori). I only got 6 because that's all the fish store had. I'm happy but i'm sure a few more wouldn't hurt. Good luck.