Ventralis Anthias?

[John39]

I am thinking about adding Ventralis Anthias to my tank, but have heard they are difficult to keep. Is there anyone who has had success with them? My tank Is 220g with additional 150g in sump and refugium. Other fish in tank sailfin tang, midas blenny, tomini tang, mystery wrasse.

 

[tom obrecht]

Yes they are difficult. Chingchai in the large tank forum has a few but he went through ALOT of them just to keep a couple. With what you have in the tank already I would pass. Either need a large system they can hide in or a species tank IMO.

 

[John39]

ok thanks! Would the lyretail be a better option?

 

[tom obrecht]

ok thanks! Would the lyretail be a better option?

yes, but there are many options that are easier than ventralis. Lyretails, carberri, dispars, hutchi, bimaculatus just to name a few. Some are more colorful that others and I'm not sure if you are looking to add a few or groups. In a 220 you could add a lot of color and movt in you tank from anthias species. When I was adding anthias would hop on a site like LiveAqauria and just check out there anthias section and see what color patterns I liked as well as their care requirements. It's a good place to start.
Good luck!

 

[John39]

Yes I would like to add a group. I have read up on them and know you should add a male and several females. I am clueless when it comes to anthias cause I have never kept them. So I am doing my homework first, nothing worse than buying fish just to see them die. Thanks for the help!!