Experience with Bicolor Anthias?

[maxxII]

I'm looking at possibly ordering some Bicolor Anthias, (Pseudanthias bicolor), as I've heard they are among the easiest anthias to keep.

LA has them listed as easy, and with the exception of the ignitus anthias, all other anthias they sell are listed as moderate or difficult to keep.

I'm wanting to know more about them before I commit to ordering them.

Anyone with personal experience with Bicolors?

Thanks...

 

[Big E]

I haven't kept them, but they are very hardy. One of my LFS had a large group in a 700g
tank & they ate anything.

They're very underrated anthias......much more beautiful in person.

 

[MammoDoc]

I've heard that they can be very aggressive. I was looking at them too, but I saw reports of them killing more passive fish, like wrasses.

 

[ca1ore]

Kept them for years. As noted, they are pretty easy to feed, though you still need to feed them at least twice a day. Personally I don't, well didn't because I don't keep them anymore, find them to be all that appealing. Mine always faded - though the greater range of available foods today may mitigate that. I personally preferred carberyi as a similar fish.

 

[maxxII]

Simon,
In a 120 gallon tank, (48x24x24) which anthias do you feel has the best chance of long term success for someone new to anthias?

In your experience, what is the average lifespan of anthias in the home aquarium?

 

[ca1ore]

Well, as a first anthias the bicolor is a good choice. Personally I prefer dispar, which are almost as easy. Personally I like bartletts, though they may be a push in a 120. I've kept anthias for 5 years routinely; with some lasting nearly 10 years. My current bartletts are 4 years, at least.

 

[maxxII]

Simon, Thanks for the information. What is your QT regimen for new anthias?

 

[ca1ore]

I use a 30L as my primary QT. I use nitrofuracin green powder upon introduction, but then nothing else unless disease symptoms present. I keep them in QT for at least two months ensuring that they are eating well and at a healthy weight.

 

[CHSUB]

ime, easiest to keep, very pretty, eats like a damsel; but very mean....killed down to 1, two times. if you want 1 they're great; multiplies never worked with me and mine beat on other fish too!

 

[maxxII]

I use a 30L as my primary QT. I use nitrofuracin green powder upon introduction, but then nothing else unless disease symptoms present. I keep them in QT for at least two months ensuring that they are eating well and at a healthy weight.

I was going to use a 55 gallon tank I have specifically for QT.
Thanks for the information. They would be in QT for at least 30 days, likely closer to 45-60 days. Precisely so feeding and health wasnt an issue.

ime, easiest to keep, very pretty, eats like a damsel; but very mean....killed down to 1, two times. if you want 1 they're great; multiplies never worked with me and mine beat on other fish too!

Interesting. Would you say these are more aggressive the lyre tails?

The whole stock list for the tank is:

Blue line angel approx 3 inches
Scribbled rabbitfish (siganus doliatus) approx 4.5 inches
Yellow tang approx 2.75 -3 inches
Tomini tang approx 3.5 inches
1 pair Of Rods Onyx percs 3.25 inches female, 1.5 inches male
1 pair of Darwin black ocellaris 3.25 inches female 1.5 inches male
1 Christmas wrasse (H. ornatisimus) approx 2 inches
1 Starcki damsel approx 1.5 inches

I was looking to add 2-3 open water swimmers that will keep the clowns in the anemones on opposite sides of the tank. I have 3 small/medium H.magnifica anemones the tank is being set up specifically for,(high light, high flow rock islands to minimize migration).

With the fish I already have, bartlett anthias were considered to shy to thrive in this tank. I was suggested to consider either Lyre tailed anthias or bicolor anthias. Bi colors appear to be easier to transition to dry food like pellets/flake which makes multiple feedings a day much easier for me.

I'm open to suggestions if you guys feel that there are better open water swimmers for my needs with my stock list.

 

[CHSUB]

Interesting. Would you say these are more aggressive the lyre tails?

funny you ask.....bicolor killed my lyretails that were added together, now i just keep lyretails.

 

[maxxII]

Were they aggressive towards any other fish in your tank, or just the lyretails?

 

[CHSUB]

Were they aggressive towards any other fish in your tank, or just the lyretails?

were hard on the chromis too.... would fight with my skunk clowns, but clowns were evenly matched! not trying to scare you away from they, however they are tough little guys and ime not great with other anthias. i'm a lyertail guy, had great success with them!!! with your stocking list, however, bicolor might work great; nothing for them to harass!

be careful of additions after bicolor!!!

 

[maxxII]

Hmmm.... What's the typical lifespan of lyre tail anthias in the home aquarium?

 

[ca1ore]

Hmmm.... What's the typical lifespan of lyre tail anthias in the home aquarium?

Depends on what you mean. In the hands of a capable aquarist exercising good judgement, you can expect many years (I had a small square for almost a decade). The average captive lifespan of all Lyretails bought is probably measured in months, maybe weeks.

 

[Big E]

I kept my last group of Lyretails for 5+ years. 4 lyretails and 2 bartletts is what I had. I think you could do something like that. I think they can live longer than that.

I would only get a male and female Bartlett to save from all the issues a harem seems to have of changing to all males.

 

[maxxII]

Depends on what you mean. In the hands of a capable aquarist exercising good judgement, you can expect many years (I had a small square for almost a decade). The average captive lifespan of all Lyretails bought is probably measured in months, maybe weeks.

So Anthias appear to live, (in proper care) for as long or longer than fairy wrasses. That's good to know.

I kept my last group of Lyretails for 5+ years. 4 lyretails and 2 bartletts is what I had. I think you could do something like that. I think they can live longer than that.

I would only get a male and female Bartlett to save from all the issues a harem seems to have of changing to all males.

I'll probably start off trying Lyretails first. I'm still a ways out from this, I'm just trying to get things together and figure out which way I want to go with the tank and open water swimmers. I've always liked anthias, but have seen them as incredibly difficult and labor intensive. Hopefully, that isnt the case.