Mixing Anthias Species

[Editour2]

Where do you guys stand on mixing different species of anthias in 1 tank? I have a 215 gallon tank and was thinking of adding both lyretails and bartletts....1 male and several females of each species. Most of the articles and posts I've read state you cannot or should not mix, (problems with the males). What is your experience?
thanks,
Frank

 

[chuckbuc]

I have a 120 with a bunch of mixed anthias .I have
1 dispar
1 male squampinis
1 female squampinis
2 blue eye
1 randals
2 barrletts
The meanest one is the male squampinis he chases the others around a little not to bad though they all come out and school together .anthaias ate Def my fav fish

 

[chuckbuc]

I say if u hAve a big tank and gotta rock go for it .they will be fine Def get barrletts there awsome and the best eaters .the dispar was kinda tuff to get started on the frozen but he's doing great now eats like crazy

 

[username in use]

I think in that size tank you should be fine. It might go better if all are introduced at the same time so they don't have established territories.

 

[qy7400]

Introduce only females and make sure you have lots of caves and hiding places like mentioned, in time the dominant ones will change into males.

 

[MIKE NY]

No problem Frank in your tank it's large enough...as mentioned try to add the larger more aggressive species last or together...like Lyretails, Squarebacks, Stockies and I suggest not trying Purple Queens yet....they are by far the hardest fish I ever had in trying to coax to come out and then to feed. My Bartletts were the easiest along with the Lyretails. Most do well in pairs or trios, but I do have a few singles that do fine as well because of all the other anthias I have which number about 8-10 in my tank now. They have become one of my favorite reef fish too....
BTW.. I'm looking for Disbars, tiger Princesses and Evansis

 

[Editour2]

Thanks guys.....I had planned on adding only the lyretails and bartletts, (maybe 3 or 4 of each). The tank has only been running for about 2 months now so I don't want to add any "expert level" fish at this time. Not only because they are difficlut to keep but also since the tank is not mature and I'm far from considering myself an expert.

 

[WWingfield]

I am just putting up a 125 and would like to have a mixed group of Anthias (1 male w 5-6 females)

Which varieties would you recommend and what order would you add them?

 

[Editour2]

See above for recommendations. I would add the male w/females of the same species at the same time.