Anthias Primer questions.

[Parad1s3lost]

Hey all,

I haven't been much of a poster here as i am busy with school work and managing fw/sw fish tanks, and a gf (managing) lol

I am thinking about Anthias fish. I currently have a 70 gallon custom glass reef tank set up from an established 55 that was 3 years old. The tank is very nice, 5.5 feet long, 18 inch deep, 14 inches tall. I went for this style tank (low and long) because i wanted to keep using t5HO lighting (currently have 6x54W over it) and be able to house some higher light corals down the road.

Livestock
3" Powder Blue Tang
2x Ocellaris Clown (paired)
1x Yellowtail Damsel

Coral
Various Zoanthus sp.
Lots of Xenia
Frogspawn
3" maxima clam

This week i am setting up my old 55 gallon tank as a sump/refugium under the bar it is on.

The total volume of the tank should be somewhere in the 70+40 (partially full sump) = 110 gal range - rock volume etc

Do you think that this can house a school of 3 or more anthias in addition to my current livestock? I will have to eventually donate my PBT in a year probably when he gets too big of course, however for now he seems very content.

I have looked at a number of the species of anthias and i really do like the sunbursts (however it seems they require a larger tank). I also like the Bartlett's anthias as well.

Apart from compatibility and tank size issues, what would you guys say are the defining features/requirements of these fish. What are they known for?

Also, how about your opinions of them too

[kevinpo]

Hello,
For your aquarium I would go with smaller species like the Threadfin, Dispar, or Bartlett's. Their maximum size is about 3.5". Five would be a better number. The Bartlett's are the most aggressive (towards each other) but are probably the easiest of the three types. I would make sure they are eating at the LFS and don't pick individuals that have sunken stomachs. They need to be fed high protein meaty foods three times a day for the first few months. Like frozen mysis, frozen shrimp, cyclopeeze, arctic pods, etc. Once they look well rounded twice a day will be enough.

Regards,
Kevin
PS: Sunburst Anthias are not schooling but rather are loners.