QT for anthias

[RedStangGA]

I'm setting up a 220 in a couple of months as soon as our new house is finished. I've shut down my 60 cube in preparation for the move and am planning to convert it into a QT. I was wondering how many anthias I could safely QT at one time in the 60?

It has a mesh top to keep jumpers in line, a 20 high sump, and I can even pick up another skimmer easy enough if necessary. I can make plenty of PVC homes too. My primary concern is I'd like to do the TTM to QT all new arrivals first, then migrate them to the 60 cube for the extended QT stay.

Would a pair of 20's do short term for TTM for 6-10 anthias, should I aim for 40's? 20's just seem really small, even for 2 weeks. I have a pair of 10's right now but realize those won't be sufficient for more than a couple of fish.

 

[ilikefish34]

Which kind are you looking to get... are you going to have more than one species?
Are you going to purchase a male for the harem or are you going with all females and letting them decide?

Keep in mind how projects can often run longer than expected and you may want to wait until the move--of course, I don't know your situation and that may not play too much of a factor--it messed me up!

Good luck with the move and the fish!
Merry Christmas
Mike

 

[m0nkie]

It depends on the specie and size.. the smaller ones are fine imo. The issue with anthias is you must start feeding multiple times a day. A 20gal gets dirty fast. You need to do water changes during the TTM. or add prime depending on how u feed.

I had over 10 tiny anthias in 20gal. I try to feed clean hakari mysis and live tiger pods

 

[RedStangGA]

Thanks for the replies.

Looking at lyretail's. Would prefer to get all females and let one turn male. Feeding multiple times a day isn't an issue and with TTM I figured prime would be the way to go. I would like to keep two different anthia types and fill out the rest of the stock with wrasses, a tang, goby and/or blenny, and maybe something else(Not necessarily in that order). Will need to see what would fit well at that point.

No intention of starting QT before the new tank is up and cycled. Too many variables in there to try and put the cart before the horse. The anthias won't be the first fish in there either. That honor goes to a pair of clowns and an orange back fairy wrasse that a friend is keeping for me.

 

[inktomi]

I was thinking of using two 30g brute containers for TTM QT tanks for a group of anthias, and also for larger fish like tangs and such.

If you have the space, it couldn't hurt to have some more water volume.

 

[Sapelo]

I'm not sure how much of a point of reference this will be, you're looking to do a much larger number, but I did a trio of female lyretails in a series of 20 gallons (for TTM and then QT) and really would not have been comfortable going much smaller. They are so active that there's really not much room for them to move around, even in the 20. Just my opinion

 

[RedStangGA]

Thanks. Kind of confirms that I should just plan on a couple 40 breeders for TTM.