What species of anthias is this?

[zooman72]

I know there are a couple of members on here that are quite knowledgeable with regards to the various anthias species, and I am fairly certain this one is a Pseudanthias sp., but my question is which species specifically.

At first blush, I though it might be a juvenile male red cheek (the striped pectoral fin and extended dorsal fin ray, P. huchtii), but it appears to be "too orange" and the red stripe is on the trailing edge of the fin, not the leading edge, plus the fish is only about 2" in length (too small to exhibit male traits?). There is also a female (I believe of the same species) in the next tank (she hid upon my trying to photograph her) that does not look like a female red cheek.

They came in to my closest LFS in a mixed shipment of Evan's, Bartlett's and slender anthias (unknown sp.), and were striking for the relative color compared to the other faded species (had literally come in hours earlier).

I am considering picking them up, but I hate not knowing what they might be, so any suggestions?

 

[jbvdhp]

What species of anthias is this?

It looks like a resplendent/Tierra to me.

If it is, it's pretty but I had zero luck with them.

 

[jbvdhp]

I can't edit my post for some reason, but the resplendents I bought wouldn't eat much of anything at all, and I tried all sorts of food. Sadly, they dwindled away within a month. [emoji17]

 

[zooman72]

It looks like a resplendent/Tierra to me.

If it is, it's pretty but I had zero luck with them.

View attachment 310020

Good call!

I was actually just looking at the various species offered by Live Aquaria, and was contemplating this species - their pictures seem oversaturated and the male is not positioned in their pic. Checking Google image search does show some with a lighter color, and these will probably color up some more after they "settle in".

Still contemplating on whether to grab them or not, but I guess now I have a direction to focus on - thanks!

 

[jbvdhp]

Good call!



I was actually just looking at the various species offered by Live Aquaria, and was contemplating this species - their pictures seem oversaturated and the male is not positioned in their pic. Checking Google image search does show some with a lighter color, and these will probably color up some more after they "settle in".



Still contemplating on whether to grab them or not, but I guess now I have a direction to focus on - thanks!

Yeah they're pretty for sure. The guy I bought them from said males do great together, not sure how true that is, but in his store they all grouped nicely together, no aggression issues.

There are experts here Who have had very good luck with them

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have found P. pulcherrimus to be relatively hardy and keeps a "tighter" group than other anthias. It is very similar to randalls anthias.

 

[ca1ore]

I have found P. pulcherrimus to be relatively hardy and keeps a "tighter" group than other anthias. It is very similar to randalls anthias.

Yes, that's right. The OPs picture is probably of a male resplendent, but it could also be a Randall's. I have 8 resplendent in QT at the moment along with four princess. No trouble getting the former to eat, but only two of the latter are eating.

Among my absolute favorites pseudoanthias species. Apologies for the awful photo.

 

[ca1ore]

I can't edit my post for some reason, but the resplendents I bought wouldn't eat much of anything at all, and I tried all sorts of food. Sadly, they dwindled away within a month. [emoji17]

May just have been a bad batch, for whatever reason as I have actually found them to be quite hardy and relatively easy to get onto normal aquarium fare. You do have to QT them, though, and get them aggressively going after food and nice and chubby before putting them into a community tank.

 

[zooman72]

Thanks for the details Simon - I think I may go over to the LFS at lunch tomorrow and pick them up since my quarantine system is now free. It is interesting that the pair came in "by accident", but sometimes you get lucky...

Your group looks great too by the way!

 

[ca1ore]

Thanks, cautiously optimistic. The only 'issue' I've ever had with resplendents is that they oten all sort of look like males. In my current group, there is the clearly dominant super male, but what were supposed to be females all look a lot like sub-males. Fortunately they always seem to get along (unlike some of the larger anthias species). Good luck, awesome fish!

The one in your first photo is definitely a male!

 

[jbvdhp]

May just have been a bad batch, for whatever reason as I have actually found them to be quite hardy and relatively easy to get onto normal aquarium fare. You do have to QT them, though, and get them aggressively going after food and nice and chubby before putting them into a community tank.

And here is the anthias expert now!

I think you're right. They were probably a "bad" batch, hopefully not bad owner.

 

[ca1ore]

I think you're right. They were probably a "bad" batch, hopefully not bad owner.

Hah, we're all guilty of that from time to time. I think 80% of the battle is getting them in healthy to start. If a new fish refuses food for more than few days, I think they are likely to never eat. My current group of resplendents started eating pretty much anything I added to their tank - and nothing particularly exotic either - at day 2. But a prior group of Evansi that I got (same place as the resplendents) came in in really bad shape, two essentially DoA out of the bag, and three that never ate. Got replacements subsequently, and all five are thriving. Go figure .....

One trick with anthias, particularly, is to have pretty good flow in the QT/DT and pour the food right into a powerhead. Make them think it's trying to get away (not too bright, these fish of ours) and can be enough to get them feeding. I've had this work with even the really tough ones like purple queens (as long as they initially came in looking good).

 

[jbvdhp]

Hah, we're all guilty of that from time to time. I think 80% of the battle is getting them in healthy to start. If a new fish refuses food for more than few days, I think they are likely to never eat. My current group of resplendents started eating pretty much anything I added to their tank - and nothing particularly exotic either - at day 2. But a prior group of Evansi that I got (same place as the resplendents) came in in really bad shape, two essentially DoA out of the bag, and three that never ate. Got replacements subsequently, and all five are thriving. Go figure .....

One trick with anthias, particularly, is to have pretty good flow in the QT/DT and pour the food right into a powerhead. Make them think it's trying to get away (not too bright, these fish of ours) and can be enough to get them feeding. I've had this work with even the really tough ones like purple queens (as long as they initially came in looking good).

Yes! You're right! The food in the flow helps stimulate them! They go after everything.

Say, not to hijack but I have four female lyretails in my tank at the moment. Do you think this group of four will welcome any new female lyretails? Or will they go at it? These four already go at it, but will the new females cause trouble for the current four?

 

[zooman72]

Yes! You're right! The food in the flow helps stimulate them! They go after everything.

Say, not to hijack but I have four female lyretails in my tank at the moment. Do you think this group of four will welcome any new female lyretails? Or will they go at it? These four already go at it, but will the new females cause trouble for the current four?

No problem - I would think if you add a large-enough group (maybe at least another 4?) that it might "diffuse" any resultant aggression, as long as the new ones are quite healthy before the introduction of course.


Also, I grabbed the "pair" this afternoon (not sure the female is a resplendent, but she looks exactly like the pic on LiveAquaria for the species, so I am assuming she is), and they quickly settled into the empty quarantine along with a new pair of ORA pink skunk clowns - hoping the clowns can help "train" them come feeding time. They are both a little "hollow" in the stomach region, but I hoping I can fatten them up before they leave quarantine...

 

[jbvdhp]

No problem - I would think if you add a large-enough group (maybe at least another 4?) that it might "diffuse" any resultant aggression, as long as the new ones are quite healthy before the introduction of course.





Also, I grabbed the "pair" this afternoon (not sure the female is a resplendent, but she looks exactly like the pic on LiveAquaria for the species, so I am assuming she is), and they quickly settled into the empty quarantine along with a new pair of ORA pink skunk clowns - hoping the clowns can help "train" them come feeding time. They are both a little "hollow" in the stomach region, but I hoping I can fatten them up before they leave quarantine...

Congrats!

Keep us updated and good luck!

 

[zooman72]

Thanks - I will give them some privacy for a day or so, and then see if I can get a good pic...

 

[ca1ore]

Lyretails always 'go at it' so as long as you've got a decent amount of space, I'd think adding a few more females would be OK. Maybe go with smaller ones so that if any of your current ones are starting to change there won't be as much competition.

 

[ca1ore]

Also, I grabbed the "pair" this afternoon (not sure the female is a resplendent, but she looks exactly like the pic on LiveAquaria for the species, so I am assuming she is), and they quickly settled into the empty quarantine along with a new pair of ORA pink skunk clowns - hoping the clowns can help "train" them come feeding time. They are both a little "hollow" in the stomach region, but I hoping I can fatten them up before they leave quarantine...

All of mine were concave in the belly. If they are eating it's no big deal. I worry if they are thin behind the head. The two princess I have that aren't eating are that way which spells a poor prognosis.

 

[zooman72]

All of mine were concave in the belly. If they are eating it's no big deal. I worry if they are thin behind the head. The two princess I have that aren't eating are that way which spells a poor prognosis.

Well, literally just came into the LFS yesterday, so can't say if they are eating yet, but they appear to have normal musculature, and are only noticeably thin ventrally. Threw in a tiny bit of Hikari mysis after a couple of hours, and the clowns ate. The male anthia is out and about, but never moved to the mysis. The female noticed it, and moved towards a couple, but also did not eat, so I will try mysis, brine shrimp, and arctic-pods tomorrow...

 

[jbvdhp]

Lyretails always 'go at it' so as long as you've got a decent amount of space, I'd think adding a few more females would be OK. Maybe go with smaller ones so that if any of your current ones are starting to change there won't be as much competition.

Thanks for the tip and suggestion, Simon! Surprisingly, none have turned to male yet. I see no indication of that, but I hope one does to keep all other females in check. I do notice three are a tight group while one is a loner and joins them occasionally, and is sometimes chased by the other three.

Well, literally just came into the LFS yesterday, so can't say if they are eating yet, but they appear to have normal musculature, and are only noticeably thin ventrally. Threw in a tiny bit of Hikari mysis after a couple of hours, and the clowns ate. The male anthia is out and about, but never moved to the mysis. The female noticed it, and moved towards a couple, but also did not eat, so I will try mysis, brine shrimp, and arctic-pods tomorrow...

During ttm, my Lyretails barely ate mysis, but they would. Maybe it's the slow drift that didn't stimulate their appetite. Once I had them in higher flow qt, and now the DT with fast flow, they go after everything, even huge ocean plankton pieces.

I did note, however, they LOVED going after cyclops and pods. I think the arctic pods will get them going!