Purple Queen Anthias

[Jeff4777]

Got the itch to give P. Tuka a try. I've read almost every thing I could possibly find about them for the past few months including reef central archives, just looking for more personal experiences now. Success and fail stories. How many died during the QT process, did they eat cyclopeeze and mysis off the bat, did they die off from lack of nutrition even with 4+ feedings a day over time, and anything else worth mentioning.

As far as anthias I currently have 5 Lyretails and 3 Bartletts. Tanks water chemistry is on the money and is stable, just concerned with this delicate and controversial species of fish in the home aquaria.

 

[kcinnick]

I have been getting them from a wholesaler eating pellets out the bag. I have also had them come from other wholesalers all DOA. Since finding a good source we have lost one. We treat them with CP and Prazi. It is one of the only anthias we try to keep in stock all the time.

 

[ca1ore]

It's the only fish I've tried that I have consistantly failed with.

 

[Jeff4777]

It's the only fish I've tried that I have consistantly failed with.

Ouch, yeah I read your account of it on another thread . It seemed like you really did all one could do for them. Blue Zoo has them for 20 dollars right now listed as: Small: over .75-1.25". No guarantee aside DOAs. Curious as to the current condition of them though in the holding tank and what/how often they are currently being fed.. Still on the fence of giving them a try or just forgetting about it and going with another species of Anthias.

 

[jbvdhp]

It's the only fish I've tried that I have consistantly failed with.

Well, Simon, if YOU fail, then it would give me all the more reason not to try them. Actually I've stayed away from this species for the very reason they're difficult.


Sent using your IP address

 

[tom obrecht]

Although I personally have not tried PQ's I have tried many species of anthia in the past. That being said I too am intrigued with these fish. I recently started a PQ thread on a trip I took to the Scott Aquarium in Omaha who have an awesome display with these anthias. They are well taken care of and thriving so I'm optimistic they can be keep. From what I've read quality specimens initially and getting them to eat as well as numerous feeding seem to be key. Of course easier said than done I'm sure. I'll be following along for advice/comments to see where this leads. If you have not checked out that thread I posted a couple videos of those cool anthias.

 

[photoblepharon]

Although I personally have not tried PQ's I have tried many species of anthia in the past. That being said I too am intrigued with these fish. I recently started a PQ thread on a trip I took to the Scott Aquarium in Omaha who have an awesome display with these anthias. They are well taken care of and thriving so I'm optimistic they can be keep. From what I've read quality specimens initially and getting them to eat as well as numerous feeding seem to be key. Of course easier said than done I'm sure. I'll be following along for advice/comments to see where this leads. If you have not checked out that thread I posted a couple videos of those cool anthias.

Read this:

https://reefs.com/2010-1/boldly-colored-beauties-the-tuka-anthias/

 

[tom obrecht]

Read this:

https://reefs.com/2010-1/boldly-colored-beauties-the-tuka-anthias/

Great article. I'm not saying PQs should be tried by just anyone, heck probably 99.9% of all aquarist. Just saying I have seen them in aquaria looking healthy and vibrant. As tempting as they are to try and keep I'll avoid them.

 

[photoblepharon]

The distinguishing factor between success and failure is whether you have access to baby brine every day and feed it throughout the day. Once you do that they are just as easy and trouble free as any other anthias. Of course hatching baby brine every day is no simple task. After a few months they should start taking any other food items offered but still need to be fed frequently.