Lyretail Anthias for 65G???

[hawaiifavo]

Just wondered what the general consensus was on a small group of Lyretail Anthias in a 65G tank? I can purchase them at the 2"-3" size range. I was thinking a male and 2-3 females.

I have a mixed reef 65G tank with two islands so lots of swimming space. Flow is high with two mp40s (dialed down) and a sea swirl.

Current fish stock:
x2 Black & White Ocellaris - small
Yellow Watchman Goby
McCosker's Flasher Wrasse
Cherub Angel Fish
Helfrich's Firefish
Cleaner shrimp
Pistol Shrimp

Tank is fed 3-4 times daily with a modified HPD recipe. Nitrate is 0.25ppm and Phosphate is undetectable.

I am planning on upgrading to a 60"x18"x24" or 31" tank after Christmas and I already have the stand, sump/refugium, skimmer, 2nd sea swirl and a few other vitals so the upgraded is by no means a pipe dream.

Thanks

 

[degibson84]

Seems to me that the tank would be a little crowded adding 3 more fish.

 

[hawaiifavo]

Funny you say that, I was thinking that it was looking a little on the bare side for the last month or two, which was my thinking behind adding a small group of the Lyretails.

The YWG I only see on rare occasions, the two clowns have taken to hosting my over flow box (with two RTBAs to choose from), the cherub hides in the rocks and only comes out for food so with only the wrasse and firefish out and about I was thinking it was looking a bit barren.

I was considering instead a Copperband and then a month later a flame angel and cap it at that until the upgrade but I personally prefer the idea of the Anthias.

 

[Jersh]

The general consensus, from what I've read, is that a group of anthias would need more swimming room than a 65 gallon can provide.

 

[degibson84]

liveaquaria says for a group you should have at least 125g

 

[hawaiifavo]

Guess I'm just going to have to be patient and wait for the upgrade. Patience is the one part of this hobby I hate - but it always pays off in the end.

 

[benjc]

I once tried a trio of lyretails in a 60-gal cube...it did not turn out well.

 

[mbauma]

I have three lyretails that I just moved from QT to my 140 DT.

 

[hawaiifavo]

benjc - Yeah I think I'm just going to hold off until after the upgrade.

mbauma - What are the dimensions of you 140G?

 

[jaa1456]

I had a male and 2 females in my 65 for two years, I had no issues at all with them. The tank mates were a small purple and yellow tang, a pair of occ clowns and a carpenters wrasse. When I upgraded tanks I did sell them though for Bartletts. The Bartletts are much more active even though they are smaller.

 

[hawaiifavo]

Ah man don't say that! Now I'm thinking about it again ha ha