Need some Anthias Facts...

[Raibaru]

I'm doing some planning for a 70g upgrade (it's a 3ft tank) and I want to get a couple anthias for it.

1.) Is this size tank even suitable for a pair or even a trio of Anthias?

2.) Are there any peaceful anthias that stay small you'd recommend over the others? Especially ones that are known for being hardier then the others?

3.) How do you working men and women handle the feeding cycle for Anthias? Have your tank lights come on before you leave for work, then feed when you get home, and a bit before lights out? Come home at lunch? Can they remain healthy and happy if they're fed at say 5, 7, and 9?

Stock list so far is looking to be:
2x Osc.Clowns
2x Green Chromis
1x Dwarf Angel (Flame)
1x Midas Blenny
1x Flash Wrasse (Carpenter's)
1x Six Line Wrasse (still unsure, I have this guy now, but he may be given away as he's quite aggressive).

Then the Anthias.

 

[SeeDemTails]

The chromis and anthias may fight, you are almost guarunteed a fight with the six line.

As far as species go Bartletts or Dispars would be ok, I wouldnt do more then 2 and make sure you have plenty of space above the reef and flow for them to swim into. I would pick them or the chromis.

I have my actinics turn on at 8 am.....I feed the fish then, again at 4 and then at 9. Fish are fine on that schedule.

 

[Raibaru]

How are Ignitus on the list for hardiness, temperment, and size? LiveAquaria has them as peaceful and small, but I've never seen them before.

Ignitus and Dispars were the 2 I was looking at the most.

 

[ezcompany]

i'm not sure on the ignitus, but dispars, bartletts, and lyretails will be your best choice for hardiness. in a 70 gallon as long as you have good filtration, you can get a group of 3-5 fish assuming you don't have too many other fish beyond that.

 

[Raibaru]

How is the aggression on these? And are these really the larger of the anthias? LiveAquaria.com shows Bartletts and Lyretails as being semi-aggressive and getting up to 5"?

 

[gordon2726]

Hi,

I would recommand 3 barletts anthias in your tank. I purchased my first "Trio" Barletts Anthias last month. I was deciding between ignitus, disper & barletts because I have a 82g so I don't want large fish. My barletts have no problem with most of my other fish in my tank except chromis but not bad at all. My barletts with only chase them away for fun and never anything too aggressive. Make sure you have a powerful skimmer as anthias eat and poo alot.

Right now, my barletts's tank mates:

1. 2" hippo tang
2. pair of picasso clowns
3. mystery wrasses
4. 6 x chromis
5. wheeler gobie
6. purple firefish

I have 3 more fish that I will add to the tank soon as they are currently in my hospital tank:

1. sixline wrasses
2. fairy wrasses
3. carpenter wrasses

 

[Raibaru]

Is there something specific about Chromis and Anthias? My chromis I have now is quite the pushover and spends his whole day just swimming with my clowns or being chased around.

Is it their habit of getting to close and swimming with other fish that annoy the anthias? As bland as my Chromis is, he's easily one of my favorite fish. However, I want a little more color in my tank which is why I was leaning toward Anthias.

 

[reefman8471]

Chromis and Anthias

Chromis and Anthias

Chromis damsels and Anthias are planktivores. That is why they tend to be aggressive to one another. Fairy wrasses and flashers wrasses may also become anthias targets for the same reason.

James

 

[ReefWreak]

Make sure to cover the top of the tank regardless of what species you choose to go with.

I had 3 dispar anthias, 2f 1m, and they got along well with everyone any time I was near the tank. The first one disappeared and I never found a trace of what happened to him. The second two were fine for a few months, but when I went back up to school for a month, they wern't there anymore. I found them and a chromis dried up behind the tank. It's tankmates that could have picked the fight were 4 chromis, 1 relatively docile 6line, and 2 aggressive neon dottybacks.

Anyway, whatever you do, cover the tank firmly. They would have survived I'm sure if I had covered the tank.

They are incredibly beautiful fish though. Certainly one of if not my favorite overall. I loved the dispar, but I like the Bartletts even more.

 

[Raibaru]

Someone in my club said that Lyretails are a good bet but figured I'd get your all opinions on them too. Do they really get up to 6" long like some online retailers say? Or do they stay closer to 3-4"? Are they really aggressive to their tank mates etc too?

Also just a reminder that this is a 70g tank (and only 3ft long).

 

[Wrench]

I have chromis and anthias and they never bicker with one another. The anthias are agressive to one another but never to other fish. I work a 9-5 job and feed them once when I leave, once when I get home at 6 and again around 9. They're all fat and happy fish. Great fish, I would get 5 for a 70g tank.