What's the secret to keeping anthias?

[Quiverfull]

I've been considering getting some anthias. I have a standard 120g with 90% sps. Want to get some anthias but every time I come close to getting a few the small voice in the back of my head says don't. So manny people seem to have problems with them. I can only be present in the evening to feed. Thought about an auto feeder but have heard horror stories about these. Any discussion around this topic would be appreciated.

 

[nivram]

What's the secret to keeping anthias?

Get some of the larger anthias that eat pellets readily and use and auto feeder. Set it up to do multiple small feelings 3 or more times a day.

I've had my eheim auto feeder for over 5 years. No issue other than replacing battery.

Make sure the fish are eating before you buy them.

 

[Perth_reefer]

Exactly as above. Regular feedings is the key, I have 6 dispar Anthias and they get fed about 5 times a day. I'd keep them in quarantine until they are feeding on pellets as it's easier to target feed them without raising nitrates in your DT. Once they're eating pellets use an auto feeder, you shouldn't have any problems with a decent one.

 

[snorvich]

Get some of the larger anthias that eat pellets readily and use and auto feeder. Set it up to do multiple small feelings 3 or more times a day.

I've had my eheim auto feeder for over 5 years. No issue other than replacing battery.

Make sure the fish are eating before you buy them.

And the Eheim indicates the level of battery left so it is not a surprise when it starts to run low.

 

[jason2459]

Yep the ehiem is very reliable and used it for many years feeding multiple times a day which anthias appreciate. Also feed some meaty foods in addition to the pellets. They will also nip at algae sheets if you put them in. Basically good food all day long.

 

[o2manyfish]

I use the "Superfeeder" I have 2 and have convinced about 12 people to use them and nobody has had any problem with them after 4 years of use.

Works with any timer you have, or an apex. Can feed as many times a day as you like.

The hopper system lets you use a variety of foods. I mix different flakes, different pellets, different size pellets and even powder foods for the corals and it feeds the blend beautifully.

Dave B

 

[RGS2]

I have four Lyretails - male and 3 females. Had them a couple of years. I may just be lucky, but I do nothing special for them. I feed my tank twice a day, flake mid day and frozen (Rods) in the evening. They've been easy to keep.

 

[Kworker]

I agree with regular feeding with proper QT beforehand.

 

[ca1ore]

Anthias (pseudoanthias actually) are a large group of fish, with a number of potential candidates for our tanks. Just like tangs, for example, different species come from different environments, and have differing needs. Some pseudoanthias are relatively easy to feed, others not. Some need lots of swimming room, others not. Some exhibit high levels of intra-species aggression, others do not. As a general rule, they need frequent feedings, plenty of space and avoiding more than a single male. But even thoses vary by species. Most commonly, and most easily, kept species include Bartlett, Lyretail, dispar.... a few others.

I've currently got a bunch in my 265. Five Bimaculatus that eat pretty much anything, but are big and boisterous. Three bartletts, same as bimacs. Five resplendents, also eat most thing; much smaller and shoal together. Started with seven, but two found their way through my screen top. . Two princess; very picky and having a hard time keeping them at a healthy weight.