what anthias for my tank?

[evolutionZ]

Hey guys, i have a 65g (48x24x14") shallow mixed reef and im looking to add 3 - 4 anthias.. never kept them before should i would like to start with something easier and less costly.. i've narrowed down to either Blue eyed anthias or the Dispar anthias.. are they difficult to keep? i feed 2 - 3 times a day..

Thanks!

 

[MrTuskfish]

I wouldn't put anything but a single anthias in your tank. Groups of anthias have a harem-type hierarchy and need lots of swimming room. There are a few species that aren't difficult; but I wouldn't consider any anthias a beginner's fish.

 

[bellis31]

Resplendant Anthias do well in 80 to 65 gallon tanks! But no more than one. These guys are big swimmers they will occupy the whole tank.

 

[evolutionZ]

hmm thanks, so a single anthias will do well too? i always thought they need to live in groups.

 

[jaa1456]

If looking for a single try a Sunburst. They seem to do well when single. I had a trio of lyretails in my 65 and they were fine, not fighting at all. Just the occasional male letting the females know he was in charge. I lost them when my tank cracked and they wedged themselves in the rocks. They were about 2"s above the leak in the rocks. I had them for 3 years. I'm not sure how the blotchy would do in a 65, but I'm keeping a single one now in my 120.

 

[bellis31]

hmm thanks, so a single anthias will do well too? i always thought they need to live in groups.

Yes a single male does fine in the Resplendant Anthias family.

 

[falconut]

Lyretails are one of the easier species. I had a single male for several years that did well.

 

[galoot]

^ I agree. My single lyretail is very happy in my tank. Eats any and everything thrown in too

 

[SDguy]

P. parvirostris and smithvanizi would be fine as a group in that size tank. I've heard smithvanizi can be aggressive to each other, though I wonder how much that has to do with collecting/keeping multiple males

 

[evolutionZ]

if i were to keep a single female lyretail, will this be okay? or must it be a male?

 

[betamed]

if i were to keep a single female lyretail, will this be okay? or must it be a male?

Sure I think he said male because of the looks. I always treat anthias with prazi they tend to have paracites

 

[SEEMAC]

I have a single female lyretail great fish easy to keep...need to feed on a regular basis however as they seem to need a little more than some of my other fish.

 

[falconut]

if i were to keep a single female lyretail, will this be okay? or must it be a male?

Single female should be fine. It's just a matter of which you prefer, with lyretails, there is a big difference between male and female.