Fathead Sunburst Anthias

[Shallow Reef]

Hi I have read these fishes like going down depth into deeper areas. My tank is 16" in total height, will that make the fish very unhappy or aslong as they feel safe they will be fine?

Thanks

 

[Stevenliu9]

Can you define deep? Many fish in the trade are deepwater fish from the common angels in the genicanthus family to some expensive ones like bandit angel or crosshatch trigger. Deep waterfish would prefer dimmer lighting and cooler water temp if you intend to keep them in a small system. Not saying they wont survive otherwise. Just the matter of reproducing their natural habitat for comfort.

 

[Shallow Reef]

When I say deep I mean for it to swim down into lesser lit areas.

My tank is 48" x 30" x 16" a shallow tank. It's only got a space of like 14" to swim down to get to the tank floor. I can make cave areas in the tank where the light won't reach and or light up only 3/4 of the tank, so one end of the tank is dim. The reason why I asked this question is because of the anthias comfort zone as you say and natural instinct of swimming down deeper away from the light rather than to the side where it is less lit, will that cause any stress to the fish or am I over thinking this even with a tank of 16" in height?

I read this here on Aquarist Classifieds about them to prefer swimming at the bottom of the tanks, on the second paragraph.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+20+52&pcatid=52

About them swimming down where the temperature is cooler, I'm guessing in aquariums we can't do anything about that since the heater keeps the tank all one temperature?

 

[Shallow Reef]

Any ideas if I would be fine to stock one for my tank?

 

[MrCaveman]

Your tank will be fine for that fish. Provide several dark or shaded overhangs and caves as that's where it will likely hangout. Many low light anthias eventually adapt to bright lighting and will stay out in the open once established. Keep peaceful tankmates and feed often during the first week or 2 to try and get to accept food.

 

[Buddhatank]

You'll love this fish, it takes time but will become social

 

[Shallow Reef]

Nice! Thanks guys for responding. To be honest I was willing to not stock it if I wasn't being fair on the fish, but was just waiting for a response for that.

I'm thinking to keep pairs of fairy wrasse in this tank, would you say that they are peaceful and shouldn't bother any anthias type of fish?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Fairy wrasses will not bother a sunburst anthias, as it is not out as much as other anthias. Some fairy wrasses will swim at other anthias during feeding time but nothing serious comes of it.

 

[Shallow Reef]

Fairy wrasses will not bother a sunburst anthias, as it is not out as much as other anthias. Some fairy wrasses will swim at other anthias during feeding time but nothing serious comes of it.

Thanks

 

[Ssteve]

Did you get them and how are they doing if you did?