Fathead/sunburst anthias

[TheMcs]

Anyone else keeping one of these? Gotta admit, this is my favorite fish. I had deemed them near impossible to keep. I used to run a LFS, over the course of a year we brought 4 in, none lasted more than a week. Before I left the store I ordered one for my tank to try out. Straight from the wholesaler bag into my tank.
I had to start feeding the tank at 6 in the morning to get it to come out & eat. Took about 2-3 weeks before it would show with the lights on. It's now 6 months later, he's fat & happy, and a regular show off. Doesn't venture as far from his hangout as the Bartlett's anthias.
I know 6 months doesn't mean success, but for me with this fish it does. I never see them anywhere else, for sale or in tanks, except for the occassional website.
Just moved mine from a 58g into my 500g system, into the 200g prop tank. Seems to love the extra flow. I have a huge cave awaiting it in the show tank.

 

[Macimage]

That is one of my favorite fish!

Glad to hear it's doing so well.

Joyce

 

[hahnmeister]

One of my favorites as well. They are just typical for anthias really... can be hard to get to eat, and rather delicate to ship, not to mention timid, and on top of that, this species does best on its own or, if you are lucky enough, a pair. Otherwise, they can kill each other.

If you like that one, there is another closely related Japanese fathead anthias that is just as cool if not cooler.
http://www.suryamarinecenter.com/index.php?surya=detail_front_product&id_prd=1185

 

[lilchris]

They are my favorite. I went into a LFS in NC and saw a 4o gallon tank with nothing but Fatheads in it. I stared at that for a while. I would love to have one but I have some maroon clowns and a male Lyrentail and I think they will harass it to death. Do you have pictures?

 

[TheMcs]

I haven't had any luck getting a picture of it. Guess I'll have to try feeding time. I've read that in larger tanks you can have 3, not sure if the 185 is big enough to risk adding two more.
hahnmeister, that's a very cool anthias!

 

[cateyes]

here's a pic of one i had in my 120.. he did great for several months, ate well and wasn't harrased by others. then one morning i found him face down in my brain..
i'd love to get another some day...

 

[Dyepes]

From what I have been told by the owner of my LFS, most stores only import and sell the chemically caught anthias of this species, causing great stress and bringing down the surviveability.

He only brings them in if they are net caught, from a specific island if I am not mistaken. There is some kind of certification system in place to make verify and hold accountable the suppliers.

I saw one one time earlier this year, he tells me he won't know how long it will be before hecan get them again. In any case, I will be replacing my tomato clown once I get the anthias.