Official Borbonius Anthias Thread

that's not normal. it also looks like the fish's abdomen is distended.

Renee just shot a hasty video of our "blotchies" for comparison...she'll post it soon.
 
Your fish is definitely not swimming normally and it looks like it is struggling to stay at that depth. Does you fish always exhibit that behavior? My trio swims and acts very much like the video posted by seahorsedreams.
 
Your fish is definitely not swimming normally and it looks like it is struggling to stay at that depth. Does you fish always exhibit that behavior? My trio swims and acts very much like the video posted by seahorsedreams.

Yes, he is always swimming like that. He seems unable to stop using his tail unless he wedges himself against a rock. Thanks for the video and advice.
 
so what's the longest time people have kept this anthias?

Just found this thread.. and still have all after your post to read.. but thought I'd throw this out...

I bought my borb from a local reefer who was breaking down her large tank. She had him for over a year, and he seemed to run her harem of "other" anthias. Grew really fast, aggressive feeder, and active active active. I read her posts on him from day one :) When she was selling, I bought LOL I've had him about 2 months and some change. I can't take a pic of the reef without him in it any more LOL He's always out, and eats great :)

Here's Herbie!
IMG_9002.jpg
 
I'm like that too when it comes to a dead fish in our care whether it's $20 or $100 but it hurts a lot more when its $100. I tried melafix and stop parasite and I really don't think they do anything. So far, I only trust 3 meds--prazi, cupramine & Maracyn 2 that I've good results with.

Back on track with Borbs...they look cute but that's about it as they don't swim around too much and usually perch on a rock or hang upside down in the caves. Unless you've a pair otherwise the bigger one is just like a bully and bug the crap out of the smaller ones. I guess I must be lucky and ended up with a pair because in the beginning the big bully just constantly chases the smaller one and would give up eating to do it.

Interesting... I've never seen mine perch, or hang around upside down, anywhere.... Does this happen longterm (still?) Mine constantly swims.. sometimes slow and is usually at a downward angle (nose down) when he's swimming slow... but I guess it's odd to have such completely different behavior in the the same fish.:fish1:

ahhhh... edited to add.. after reading to pages 6 and 7 it is clear why you may have observed the upside down in a cave :(
 
Last edited:
I'm suppose to be moving them tonight.... but I'm skeered!

Hey Renee' what is your avatar??

Also, looking at these fish I notice a difference between most of the fish and mine... the top fins (sorry, dorsal, maybe?) most have thin threads extending.. mine has an odd notched looking spiny extension... hmm


edited- someday I'll read a thread through before throwing out my 2 cents!!! You answered my fin question. I wonder if these fish are like other anthias.. dominant female has the potential to become the male... and to make up for posting before reading - here's another borbonius pic :)

IMG_9171.jpg
 
Last edited:
here are a couple of pix Renee (seahorsedreams) just snapped of our male "blotchie":

blotchedidontknow700.jpg


blotchmale800.jpg


this fish was the dominant specimen in our trio and has indeed gotten the "anthias male dorsal spike" typical of many species.
 
I lost all three of my Anthias this weekend when I was working on my tank. I was reaquascaping and they did not seem tolerate it. No other fish had any problems with the work I did. Just a word of caution that this species seems to be a little less tolerate.
 
I was thinking of adding a trio to my tank any thoughts on how they would do with a 10inch scribbled angle, 6 inch clown trigger, 6inch imperator, 5 inch purple tang, 7 inch queen angel 5 inch threadfin butterfly, a blue ribbon eel and a pair of maroon clown. I have a 240 gallon. Just seeing if people had had luck with borbonius anthias more agressive fish. Thanks for the input
 
When I originally saw pics of these fish, before they became available in the trade, they had bright pink bodies with bright yellow spots. Are the ones that are so common in the hobby now regional variants, or do they develop the bright colors later in life?
These guys do have quite a range (see here: http://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=23333) so some could be due to regional variants, but I think most of it has to do with depth collected (and perhaps their diet at those depths). As we all know when first introduced these fish were VERY expensive, $1,000 + easy... which was due to the fact of the depths they were collected. Deep water fish cost more. Now they are much, much cheaper, and we're also seeing a seeminly "less bright" pink coloration on most specimens. They're certainly being found in shallower environments to hit the retail market at $100-200. I think the deep water specimens held their bright pink color better due to lack of light (happens to certain fish). I'm curious if we house these "lighter" specimens in darker environments and fatten them up with good foods that the pink would brighten up over time. Regardless I think they're awesome and I'll be giving them a shot soon ;)

Awesome shots as usual Renee :thumbsup:
 
one also must consider whether the fish are stressed. for instance, this is what our fish all looked like as they came from the wholesaler:

spot.jpg



this is what they colored-up to:

blotchmale700.jpg
 
So true Greg. I recall you or Renee mentioning that you took those great pics with spot-lights over the tank (that you normally don't run), what kind of lighting do you generally run over their tank?
 
I may be wrong, but size may have something to do with the color disparities too. It seems to me the smaller ones aren't as colorful.
 
Back
Top