how many lyretail anthias in 75g reef

[rwb500]

In a 75g reef with lots of open space, an MP40, and only 2 clowns and a lawnmower blenny as tankmates, how many lyretail anthias would you add?

feel free to suggest additional tankmates as well. i want fish that are going to be happy with my tank size. i dont want to be "pushing it" with tangs, etc...

 

[snorvich]

If you look at various vendor recommendations, one. I would agree.

 

[BHD]

I have a male and a female Lyretail Anthias in my 75 gallons.. Lived there for 4 years now. I don't see any problem at all.

 

[rwb500]

I was thinking at least two, maybe three. If the answer is really one i will just get a different fish.

anyone else, maybe snorvich can you explain a little more? i'm fully open to suggestions but it seems like there are many success stories at odds with your advice. which of course doesn't mean there aren't any failures.

thanks BHD, thats helpful to know. do you feel good about having the pair, or do you really wish you had a larger group (for their sake, i mean)?

 

[nonstopfishies]

I was thinking at least two, maybe three. If the answer is really one i will just get a different fish.

anyone else, maybe snorvich can you explain a little more? i'm fully open to suggestions but it seems like there are many success stories at odds with your advice. which of course doesn't mean there aren't any failures.

thanks BHD, thats helpful to know. do you feel good about having the pair, or do you really wish you had a larger group (for their sake, i mean)?

I would agree, one. The reason being that they get pretty big and are on the more aggressive side for anthias. If you wanted to do a trio you should get a type of anthias that stays smaller and less aggressive.

I don't see any number being necessary for optimal happiness of anthias. They can live singly, in pairs, or in groups.

 

[rwb500]

thanks! i had not read about the aggression. and also i hadn't really looked into the best number to keep, because i had assumed i could have at least 3. i've got some more reading to do. case closed, for now.

 

[SDguy]

How about smaller species, like dispar, sunset, princess, etc?

 

[snorvich]

How about smaller species, like dispar, sunset, princess, etc?

Excellent choices.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

You could get maybe a trio of the smaller antias in a 75. The species that SDguy are great. I like the resplendents, dispars, ignitus, and carberryi anthias. I am no expert on them yet but any of them are canidates for my tank when I feel I am ready for them.

 

[BHD]

I don't see any aggression in my Lyretail Anthias at all.
I feed them 2 time weekdays and 3 times on weekend and I feed alot..
The male would chase the female around and flash at her and even open his mouth to kind of kissing her.. But never bit her or even touch her. I have watched them for hours and hours for the last 4 years that I have them, the male just never beat the female. My friend has 4 of lyretail anthias in a 125 gallons. His male doesn't beat on the female but his largest female is very aggressive to the smaller female. She actually chase them around and nip them. Like other people mention, there are some really nice smaller anthias. You can try them out as well. Dispar or Barlet are beautiful.