Lyretail or Bartlett's Anthias in 120gallon tank

[cmm1970]

I have resisted anthias for years now, but I feel that I am now succumbing to their allure. I have a 4'x2'x2' SPS dominated tank that I think I would like to host anthias in. In reading about these fish, it looks like Bartletts, Lyretail, or perhaps Dispars might be a good choice for the tank, but due to it being a well lit(400W MH) SPS tank, the Barlett's might be a bit shy.

Okay, the real question, in a 120gallon tank of my dimensions, can I successfully keep a group of say one male and four females or is that going to be an exercise in futility? Are any of you keeping a harem in a four foot tank, and if so, how did you introduce the fish, how many do you have, what variety are they, and how do you feed them.

Thanks for the help,
Mike

 

[greennd79]

i have barletts and dispars in my 180 3 of each and never had a problem with them.I dont like the lyretails just because they get big and are more aggresive then the other 2.If you do add them add them all at once and watch them cruise the tank they are by far my favorite fish.And 2 answer your ? they should be fine in a 120 i would add 2 bartletts and 2 dispars.

 

[cmm1970]

So mix the species...bartlett's and dispars. Never occurred to me to mix them. I'd like to hear more about tanks with a mixed bag of anthias species. SOunds cool!

 

[xxtriggermanxx]

Lyretails and squarespots for me . get along fine.

 

[Sardaukar]

I've heard Bartletts tend to pair off over time and be aggressive towards the non-pair fish in such a way that no matter how many you introduce, some day you are likely to just have a pair. I have not kept them though.

 

[cmm1970]

So tell me about what sex and numbers I should order. One male and one female of the Barlett's and same combo of the Dispar's?

 

[SkyPapa]

I had 3 lyretails, 1m 2f, and 2 small bartletts in my 120.
The bartletts both started to change a the same time and one didn't survive. I have the 1 male bartlett and the 3 lyretails in my 180 now.
I am going to add 3 or 4 small female bartletts in a while.
The lyretails aren't agressive to other fish but the big male is an aggressive harem keeper and courter and will even try to corral the bartlett.

 

[xxtriggermanxx]

safest way to get any anthias is to buy the smallest you can find. all female and let them sort out who will be top dog.