What Anthias to Choose?

[FishDad2]

I'd like to add a few Anthias to my reef tank but I have little experience with this species. In particular I like the Lyretail and Dispar, although I'm wide-open to suggestions, and would like to make the best possible decision both for aesthetics and long-term success...preferrably without killing a bunch of fish in the process.

Much of what I've read indicate that these fish are managable although difficult to keep, so I'm a bit nervous...recommendations would be appreciated, bearing in mind the following parameters:

- 225 gallon reef tank

- I work for a living, so anything I put in there needs to be able to thrive on once-per-day feeding...I have no problem providing proper frozen food (brine, mysis, prime reef, etc.) or soaking it in additives (Selcon, etc.)...I already do that...but I've only got time to feed in the evenings.

- I'm trying to avoid finicky eaters and fish that are notoriusly challenging to keep...I'll feed live brine for a few weeks, but eventually they need to take to the frozen stuff...just ask the other 8 Longspines in the "school" I bought...adapt or perish...I'm not a brine-fisherman!

- Tankmates include:
Yellow Tang
Tomato Clown
Purple-strip Pseudochromis
6-line Wrasse
Banggai Cardinal
Longspine Cardinal (3)
Firefish

Your experience and advice is appreciated.

 

[gvibes]

Re: What Anthias to Choose?

- I work for a living, so anything I put in there needs to be able to thrive on once-per-day feeding...I have no problem providing proper frozen food (brine, mysis, prime reef, etc.) or soaking it in additives (Selcon, etc.)...I already do that...but I've only got time to feed in the evenings.

As far as I know, this is going to be a big problem with Anthias.

I'm in the same boat as you, so I hope some people will chime in otherwise.

 

[masterqaz]

anthias might not be your calling as most anthias are quite hard to keep and need to be feed alot/ finicky eaters. If your going to look at anthias i'd look into the easyier ones to keep like the squamipinnis , square spots or evans.

 

[BlueNWhite]

You should look into one of those higher end automatic feeders. Many of them are digital now. You could set for multiple feedings and put any kind of dry food in there. My friend has one and it seems to work pretty well. Then you could top off with your normal evening feedings.

You've got to do whatever you can do in order to keep these beautiful fish. Nothing other than Flasher and Fairy Wrasses can compare to the Anthias in terms of colours in shoals.

Good luck,
Raymond

 

[Amphiprion]

The key would be to find a Pseudanthias sp. individual that is already weaned onto dried foods and use a food timer. The problem is that they will need some nutritious frozen foods, also (so feed those when you get the chance--maybe that once-per-day feeding in addition to the dried foods). Pseudanthias sp. have a relatively high metabolism and will need frequent and ample feedings to remain healthy and grow.

Oh, and for a species, I would personally recommend Pseudanthias bartlettorum or Bartletts' anthias.

 

[anydarnthing]

Evansi and Squarespots are some of the hardest anthias to keep, I have Bartletts, Dispars, Carberries, and Bi-colors anthias and have found Bartletts to be the hardiest and they will 99% come from the store eating anything and I mean anything. Pellet, flake, and frozen you can do what my friend does get an auto feeder that drops into a floating feeding station. I also work for a living but have my actinics that come on 30mins before I leave so i can feed them in the morning and once in the evening. I work 10 hour days 7:00am-5:00pm so I'm gone 11hours a day, I just have longer actinic light period and only 7hours of MH on the tank. Hope you find that helpful.

 

[Artik]

all anthias need to eat at least 3 times a day

 

[pham411]

i have a pair of these guys, ventralis anthias. they are beutifull.
good luck finding them.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-04/ac/images/anthias2_std-GRsm.jpg

 

[bubbaOPPD]

If all anthias need to eat 3 times a day then why are my anthias growing and doing great only being fed twice a day for the last 2 years.

 

[Serioussnaps]

because they dont have to eat3 times a day but actually optimal is like 4 small feedings a day...but there is not set way to feed....just anthias have to be well fed

 

[Frankie1]

anthias

anthias

you probably have a good pod population if they have been going for 2 years. i have 5 dispars and 5 bartlets. bartlets seem to be the easiest to take food. right from the start the bartlets ate pellets and i set up a fug to get pod population going better. i am using an automatic feeder for 2 times a day and then feed them frozen when i get home from work. they have been in my tank for about 5 months with only 1 fatality one of the dispars perished shortly after i got them, look skinny when i got it and it just would not eat anything. the bartlets are more aggressive than the dispars, but they all ,bartlets and dispars), kinda hang together. but the male bartlet definetly runs the tank.

frankie

 

[SDguy]

Bartlett's are the easiest, lyretail being about equal, but more scrappy.

As for the feeding thing, it's really just a question of absolute amount of food being taken in by any one individual. It doesn't matter if it feeds once a day or 5 times a day. The point is, if after that one day, the same amount of food is being consumed, then your golden. Many anthias (species or individuals) will not eat like gluttons, and therefore need frequent feedings to keep their stomachs full. IME, with bartlett's I had, they would eat to the point of bursting, keeping a very marble shaped belly throughout the day, even on one feeding. IMO/E, this is why you will hear various opinions on feeding requirements, and success stories/failures.

hth

 

[FishDad2]

Thanks everyone for your input...it's much appreciated.

Looks like I'm going to have to think long and hard before I go this route. At a minimum, installation of an automatic feeder seems a requirement given my work schedule...I'm just not sure I want to add more components to the system at this time.

More likely, I'll look to another species to add some color and save the Anthis for after I retire...which, since I'm 41 now, will only be another...well...uh...40-50 years. At least I've got that to look forward to.

On the bright side though, your experience is allowing me to make an informed decision...helping avoid mistakes...exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks again.

Chris

 

[BlueNWhite]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7721838#post7721838 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FishDad2
...I'm just not sure I want to add more components to the system at this time.
...Thanks again.

Chris

Actually adding an automatic feeder is very easy. It simply sits on the top of your tank via double sided tape or maybe even free standing. It has no wires because it is battery operated.

So, go ahead and get the Anthias, you won't be disapointed.

Raymond

 

[BlueNWhite]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7718252#post7718252 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pham411
i have a pair of these guys, ventralis anthias. they are beutifull.
good luck finding them.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-04/ac/images/anthias2_std-GRsm.jpg

Wow, those are beautiful!!!

Is the picture of your actual anthias? If not, do you have any pictures of yours?

 

[SDguy]

Ventralis anthias are pretty low key, easily spooked, and finicky. I would not recommend them to the casual reefer, especially as the first anthias species. JMO.

 

[pecaco34]

They are a little harder to find but I would recommend Bimac anthias. They do get a little on the large side but my male outcompetes every fish in the tank for food and the females aren't exactly shy either. He reminds me more of a grouper t he way he eats. They are pretty sturdy, the only drawback is the male has become a little territiorial. But their colors are amazing.