Why Do Anthias Need So Much Room?

[Bongo Shrimp]

Don't call me stupid or anything but I just was looking at P. ventralis and they are so small. I was thinking, I wonder if I could put one in my 29g but it says min tank size 70g. Just wondering why such huge tanks for such small fish.

(Yeah I know they are very tough to take care of...)

 

[MCCOOL]

I'm no expert, but I'd venture a guess that it's more water quality/flow related as opposed to actual swimming room. they swim alot, but it's generally against the flow in one spot. They do however, require a very large among of food be fed daily, and I think it would sour a 29g tank pretty quickly.

 

[bryan007]

These are open water fish swimming high up in the water column. They do not normally swim in the lower levels of the reefs. Often many species are found in groups of thousands. IMO and I've had many I would not house Anthias in any tank less than 6 foot in lenght if you want them to do well and live a long life.

 

[michael_cb_125]

In my opinion the reason that most vendors recommend a larger tank for anthers, is the simple fact that most aquarists want to keep a group of these fish. The social structure of most anthias is very complex and fighting does occur, as such a larger aquarium will help to disperse aggression and allow for a more peaceful social group.

Will a single ventral is do fine in a 29, sure, but these fish are generally in pairs and groups.

jonbry123- the anthias in the OPs question are P. ventralis. These are a deepwater species, that is not found high up in the water column. These are structure hugging fish that form groups in the rubble zone of the deep reef. Some actually call this the "Ventralis-Zone" as this is the most common species in these deep areas.

~Michael

 

[michael_cb_125]

Bongo Shrimp- just remember that all anthias are not created equally. There are many species that IMO can be kept in smaller systems, but just as many that need the space only huge tanks can provide.

~Michael

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

Oh. Which kind do you think could be kept in a smaller tank? I though P. ventralis because of their tiny size. Sure a school would be what everyone wants but take what you can get sometimes.

 

[michael_cb_125]

When I imagine the ultimate "nano" Anthias species that is commonly seen, I think of the Fathead Sunburst Anthias.


~Michael

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

Yeah I thought about those too but don't they get to be like 4 or 5 inches?

...Man, a pair of ventralis would be too cool!

 

[SDguy]

Yeah I thought about those too but don't they get to be like 4 or 5 inches?

...Man, a pair of ventralis would be too cool!

Yeah, but they are much less active swimmers than other anthias....

 

[kmac]

I agree fatheads would to well in a smaller tank. With very peaceful fish.

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

Oh I see...

 

[uhuru]

fatheads like to hide in the rockwork, they are very shy but fun to watch darting in and out when there is food...

 

[Poomba]

With the fat head anthias, are active tank mates an issue? Or is it the aggression levels?

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

And how are they with little inverts? (sexy shrimp...)