Multiple groups of anthias????

[jlinzmaier]

Is it possible to safely keep multiple groups of various species of anthias?? I'm working on stocking a 420 gal tank and once the tank is mature enough I'd like to add a few groups of various species of anthias. I'd like to have a group of three dispar anthias as well as a group of three purple queen anthais (and maybe a third group of three bimaticulous anthias). I guess I've never heard of anyone keeping more than one group of one species of anthias in one tank.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

Jeremy

 

[MG21]

I keep multiple anthias in my 475. I have 9 female lyretails, 1 male lyretail, 3 borbonius,2 bartletts females and 1 male, 2 sunset females and 1 male, 1 pink square female and 1 male, 1 resplendent male and 1 female, 1 bimac male, 2 dispars and 1 red stripe. They eat everything from pellets to nori, arcti pods, pe mysis, brine, flake and cyclopeeze.

 

[64Ivy]

I mix and match a little. Right now I have 17 Bimacs, 2 Borbonius, and 1 each of Bartletts and Olivacious. I used to mix Bartletts and Bimacs consistently but my last attempt failed as the Bimacs systematically killed off all but one of the Bartletts. I think that the last batch of Bartletts being much smaller might've had something to do with it. But from now on, I'm going to stick with one predominant species. Interestingly, NOBODY screws with the Borbonius pair. They must have mad cred ('I learned that from my 11 year old daughter'). Anyway, your tank is large enough for some experimentation; just make sure you introduce the more timid species first and give everyone lots of places to hide and feel safe. Good luck.

 

[jlinzmaier]

Thanks everyone!! Sounds like various groups of different species of anthias will work fine if done with a bit of caution.

Jeremy