lyretail anthia in 75 mixed reef

[malawinovice]

3 year old tank.

pair clowns ocs
flame angel
leopard wrasse
melanaris wrasse


Looking to ad a single male lyretail or a male/female pair.

Live aquaria recommends a 125 tank. Is that cause swimming needs or agression?

Thanks

 

[MrTuskfish]

Its great to see dealers like LA changing to more realistic tank recommendations. These are very active fish; so I would assume the 125 is based on swimming space needs.

 

[AquamanSE]

I agree its due to the constant motion they have a crazy metabolism. I plan to pick up a BM doser & think ill skip the double doser so i could feed several times a day or if you dont dose you could use a cheap a aqualifter on a timer. Ive wanted a group of these for a while....some day maybe.

 

[falconut]

I had both combinations in my 90 gallon, which is similar size (48"x18"x 24" tall). I believe the 75 is a little shorter. I also only fed them once a day and occationally twice, usually once on the weekend.

The male lived for only a year, because a 12+ hour power failure took him out. The two females just recently passed after 4+ years. The larger female seamed to convert to a male. The color didn't really change, it just had a hint of purple, but it did grow the large spike.

A note on feeding them. Mine seamed to only eat live brine in the beginning. The single male took between 2 - 4 weeks to wean to complete frozen. The females took only a week to wean.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I agree its due to the constant motion they have a crazy metabolism. I plan to pick up a BM doser & think ill skip the double doser so i could feed several times a day or if you dont dose you could use a cheap a aqualifter on a timer. Ive wanted a group of these for a while....some day maybe.

I keep quite a few Anthias, but no Lyretails. I always assumed they needed several daily feedings, like most anthias. I made the frequent feeding comment once and several knowledgeable forum members said Lyretails are one of the few anthias that does well on a more normal feeding schedule, say 3X daily. I learn a lot hanging around here once in a while.

 

[malawinovice]

should I pull the trigger and get a pair?

 

[falconut]

Assuming they're at your LFS. How are they currently? Male with multiple females, one female, by himself? My LFS sometimes keeps the males by themselves and the females all together. I'd be cautious if they were kept separate, one of the females could be changing. If they're together, then give it a try.

 

[malawinovice]

They have a male and female lyretail in a tank. The male is hidding under the powerhead, female is wandering about.

I will wait as the male seems to be afraid of the female, maybe that one is changing.

 

[falconut]

A lot of times I see them hiding in the LFS tanks. Make sure they're eatting before you pick them up.

 

[D5HP]

I plan on putting a small group in my 75g. I've had a female in my 36" reef for roughly 3 months. She was barely .5" when I got her and she has doubled in no time at all. Amazing fish but she does need more room so she will be moving over to the 75g as well. I look forward to seeing how she does.

Despite the size she has the best color of most any anthias I've seen in captivity and I attribute it to 4-5 feedings per day of varied foods.

She eats everything but flake...and has finally learned to pick pellets from the water's surface so I am not having to feed the rest of the tank as much to get her a few bites.

-Dustin

 

[malawinovice]

I might get the two Lyretail females who are active and eating and see what happens.

 

[AquamanSE]

Despite the size she has the best color of most any anthias I've seen in captivity and I attribute it to 4-5 feedings per day of varied foods.


-Dustin[/QUOTE]

I mentioned the doser earlier because its sometimes impossible to personally feed 4-5 times daily. Maybe mix it up with feeder & doser (you ever try Microvore Microdiet by Brightwell) I use it a few times a week to add diversity my fish love it & I hit some LPS while Im at it.

MrTushfish pointed out that Lyretails can go on a regular feeding schedule-anyone out there have lyretails n feed like that? I'd like to see the difference if any in specimen health/overall vitaility.

 

[Shiroi Kitsune]

I have four in my 75G. All are healthy and happy. High flow can make up for large space in my opinion.