Lyretail Anthias

[BuckeyeTodd]

What do they eat? I got six females from liveaquaria and can't get them to eat. I had got one from lfs and couldn't get it to eat, and it passed after three days. I received these yesterday, and I have never got fish shipped before-so is this common(due to stress from shipping). I've fed four times and so far none have ate, in fact I've seen a few times they spit the food out. I just checked paramaters in my tank wed and everything is perfect(I've kept saltwater fish for six years). It truly appears they don't like the food I'm giving them. So far I've tried Rod's, Mysis, PE mysis, and reef plankton. I just can't remember fish spitting food out like this. I've never kept anthias before, are they really picky

 

[Tahoe Reefer]

It's not uncommon for fish to not eat for a day or two when added to a new tank. Try adding a garlic soak to the food, may help them eat.

 

[inthesea]

Try cyclopeeze, my female lyretail will spit out any large food. On the otherhad my male will eat pellets. Try feeding real fine food and feed it in the powerhead. They like to catch fast moving food.

 

[SDguy]

Tiny frozen meaty seafoods are best at first. Eventually they'll take pellets and flake, usually.

 

[BuckeyeTodd]

thank you for the responses...they just ate sparingly some Rods...by fine meaty food, is mysis fine enough or is there a better choice? The Rods produces all size foods, but getting new fish to eat is my main concern so I'll run and buy something if there is something that may be appetizing for them to get them going(and if they start eating pellets that would be awesome, Rods or mysis every night will get expensive). And the male that has been in there for a little over a week is eating everything, just these darn chics man!

 

[davocean]

If they are starting to eat I'm sure that will increase.
Mine love mysis, but took quite a while to start eating spectrum pellets, and I can tell they aren't that big on it.
Soaking it helps.

 

[MrTuskfish]

thank you for the responses...they just ate sparingly some Rods...by fine meaty food, is mysis fine enough or is there a better choice? The Rods produces all size foods, but getting new fish to eat is my main concern so I'll run and buy something if there is something that may be appetizing for them to get them going(and if they start eating pellets that would be awesome, Rods or mysis every night will get expensive). And the male that has been in there for a little over a week is eating everything, just these darn chics man!

If Anthias are going to thrive; they need at least 3 (or more) feedings of small foods every day. On the reef, they are plankton feeders and feed on almost microscopic foods; wild anthias feed almost continuously too. They need special attention and a variety of tiny foods; they will usually not do well if just fed the same foods, at the same time, as most community fish. Cyclops-Eeze, baby brine shrimp (frozen is OK), spirulina enriched S.S., chopped Formula I & II, small mysis, finely chopped whole fresh shrimp etc. are my favorites. Lyretails seem to eat larger foods more willingly than most Anthias (IME) but, still need very frequent feedings.

 

[Oceanman79]

I disagree with the above, I find that lyretails can thrive on one good feeding a day, and I've seen others post the same. This is unlike many other types of Anthias, however. I do feed my fish at least twice daily 4-5 days a week, however.
I find that lyretails eat just about everything. My females seem to like smaller bits than the male, however. I feed everything you've listed above, so just keep it up. And as others have noted, garlic won't hurt. Best of luck!

 

[SDguy]

I disagree with the above, I find that lyretails can thrive on one good feeding a day, and I've seen others post the same.

Lyretails do just fine on minimal feedings, once established. After import/shipping, they need a bit of TLC.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Lyretails do just fine on minimal feedings, once established. After import/shipping, they need a bit of TLC.

This, and the post from Oceanman are good to hear; I like to learn new things at my age. My 1st experience with anthias was a trio of lyretails that faded away---I later wrote it off to not feeding often enough. I still keep anthias (but not lyretails) and feed frequently. A quick check of all the sources I trust says multiple feedings are required/recommended/suggested. But like so much in this hobby, experienced hobbyists often are the best sources. Foods available now for plankton feeders may have a lot to do with the success.

 

[Leviathan_XE]

I just got a female lyretail about 3 weeks ago and was dealing with the same issue, was feeding Rods because of the variety and she ignored everything. I thought I was gonna lose her until I went with regular brine shrimp soaked in garlic. The reaction was instant. So now in addition to whatever else I feed I make sure I add a little brine to the mix for her and my target mandarin who also is starting to eat what I feed eveyone else. After a while I'm noticed that she's started to actually eat( and not spit out) the other foods.

 

[VegasMike]

Lyretails will adjust to minimal feedings, IME. I kept four females and a male in my previous tank which did quite well. To top it off, I only fed flake and pellet. I did start the Anthias out on Cyclopeez that evolved into Cyclo Flakes which then turned into all types of Ocean Nutrition Flake. My imperator actually preferred flake to frozen.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Lyretails will adjust to minimal feedings, IME. I kept four females and a male in my previous tank which did quite well. To top it off, I only fed flake and pellet. I did start the Anthias out on Cyclopeez that evolved into Cyclo Flakes which then turned into all types of Ocean Nutrition Flake. My imperator actually preferred flake to frozen.

I'm convinced that Cyclops-Eeze is the very best food to get small, new, reluctant fish eating. I always use it as a first food on small fish in QT. An opened, fresh clam does the same with larger fish.

 

[solitude127]

I have a male and 2 female and finally got them to start eating pellets. I started with Rods and Hikari Misys.

 

[chimmike]

what garlic do you all use to soak the foods in ? just minced garlic from the grocery store?

 

[davocean]

I use kent marine garlic xtreme, most LFS carry it.

 

[chimmike]

none of my local ones carry it. Wonder if petsmart does, hmm.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Although I don't buy all the hype on garlic; there is evidence that it can help the immune system. It also probably helps the appetite: it helps mine and its in almost all dog food. Just take a garlic press (or use your fingers and watch everyone stare as you sniff your fingers all day) and squeeze a drop or two of fresh garlic juice into your food--the juice is supposed to have all the benefits.

 

[ReeferBill]

Finicky Lyretail Anthias

Finicky Lyretail Anthias

Hi BuckeyeTodd ; I agree with the cyclopeez and live gut loaded brine to get them interested , I use Seachems Garlic from Drs Fosters and Smithy . Good Luck !!:fish2:

 

[Alex T.]

I have two Lyretail Anthias that have been in my system for over 2 years. The larger one is now morphing into a male....pretty interesting.

As far as feeding, mine have never taken pellet, but eat Mysis and Bloodworms. Cyclopeez is pretty much like candy for them. They race for it like they're addicted. As for Nori, they've been chewing it and spitting it out for two years. I've never seen them actually eat it. I think as long as you get them eating a good frozen and meaty food like Mysis you're in the clear. Like many other basses, they really need these protein foods in their diet.