Mixing Anthias

Bilk

New member
I presently have three Lyretail anthias in a 200g - 2 female and one large male. Would there be an issue with adding another male and two female from another species such as Bartlett's anthias? I'm also open to suggestions for a variety that would be compatible.
 
bartlett's are mean.

they will harras the lyretail and then themselves ! at least from my experience.
but they are so prety I cant not have a trio in my tank ...
 
Mixing Anthias

I presently have three Lyretail anthias in a 200g - 2 female and one large male. Would there be an issue with adding another male and two female from another species such as Bartlett's anthias? I'm also open to suggestions for a variety that would be compatible.


They are about the same size, but your tank is 200g. The best bet if you want to do that mix is to redo the aquascape before you put in the bartletts. Or you could consider other anthias that are more different in size and shape. Fathead? Purple square?
 
Thanks for the replies and suggestions. Diver's Den has a nice trio of Bartlett's I was considering but would rather not chance it. The suggestion of moving some aquascape around does work as I've done that in the past, but don't want to mess with things right now. I think I'll go with three Squareback - a male and two female.
 
I have had a mix of Lyretails, dispars, carberryi's, w/out any issues and plan to add ignitus as well.
My lyretails are the biggest and that male is most dominant, and while each group has their own male, it seems like the male lyretail kind of rules all when they group up.
This is in a 150g, I'm sure you will have no issues w/ a similar mix.
I don't keep bartletts, keep hearing too many issues on aggression or picking each other off/turning male.
 
I have seen tiger (queen), bartlett, and squamipinnis (lyretail) anthias all together in a about 350g reef tank no aggression just make sure they all have lots of open swimming space and a few caves
 
I received three Squareback anthias yesterday - a large male and two large females. really beautiful specimens. They're a bit shy right now so no pics :( I haven't seen any aggression toward them yet so hopefully we're GTG.
 
I received three Squareback anthias yesterday - a large male and two large females. really beautiful specimens. They're a bit shy right now so no pics :( I haven't seen any aggression toward them yet so hopefully we're GTG.


It will take them a few days to come out to the open, but frequent small feeding always help anthias due to their active nature.

You don't quarantine them?
 
It will take them a few days to come out to the open, but frequent small feeding always help anthias due to their active nature.

You don't quarantine them?
Well I'm working on a location to set up a quarantine station. Right now I don't have the facility for that. I know, I know, not good practice. I guess I'm pushing my luck, but in the many years prior to this setup, I never experienced any real issues from not quarantining. Had a breakout of Ich on two occasions but never lost a fish to it. Lost a few to jumping and a few to sever aggression, but fortunately not to Ich or any other disease. But yes, working on establishing quarantine for both fish and coral and a propagation tank as well.
 
Lyretails and ignitus are my favorite combo, especially after seeing pics of them together in the wild.
 
Lyretails and ignitus are my favorite combo, especially after seeing pics of them together in the wild.
x2..I had that combo along with Dispars, Purple Queens, Tiger Queens and Red saddled together without issue....My Bartletts fought among themsleves until there was just one supper male left..My pair of Sunbursts would stay by themsleves near the rockwork along with my Randalls...I currently have Dispars, Purple Queen, Ignitus, Red fairy and Marcia which all shoal together because they are all peaceful....I'm staying away from the more aggressive Anthias in recent years..
 
x2..I had that combo along with Dispars, Purple Queens, Tiger Queens and Red saddled together without issue....My Bartletts fought among themsleves until there was just one supper male left..My pair of Sunbursts would stay by themsleves near the rockwork along with my Randalls...I currently have Dispars, Purple Queen, Ignitus, Red fairy and Marcia which all shoal together because they are all peaceful....I'm staying away from the more aggressive Anthias in recent years..

Wow, MikeNY! Great collection! I'd LOVE to see some pics! Especially of the Tuka's (purple queens)!

May I ask you how long have you had yours? And how did you get them acclimated to your system? Lastly, what and how often are yours eating? I'm sorry to drill you with questions- I'm just so excited to find someone who has actual experience with my dream fishies.

I'm planning my 250gallon stock list while I set up the tank. I'm still setting up plumbing right now, but I know I want a tank dedicated to anthias and tangs. I've planned this whole thing out with them in mind. I'm a huge fan of anthias. :inlove:
The few tangs I have are happy peaceful active swimmers, and my current small flock of anthias are dispars, so I'm pretty sure I can add another flock of peaceful anthias in this next tank without creating aggression. I've been very successful with other species, but I've shied away from the Tuka's BC of their rep for being difficult. I'm hoping that if I add them to the tank before any other large or fast fish go in, I might have a better chance...
 
Oh! And I should mention my plans, to see if this will help, or if I'm just doing overkill.
I'm making provisions for a timed food drip that will pump in a few milliliters of anthia brew every hour or so, from a small fridge hidden in the cabinetry next to the tank. I'll figure out which items the new guys are accepting, and then pump in as often as they need. I pray that this will allow me to keep my Tuka's thriving, and not just surviving.
 
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