Anthias!

[Northman_with_reef]

Hi!

I'm thinking about getting som anthiases for my 100gal reef.
Does anyone hare have any experience with them??
What Anthias species are easy to keep?
How many should I get?

Thanx!

-Thomas

[Overboard]

Hi,

My Bicolor Anthias eats well and seems to do ok with the intense metal halide reef lighting. Some anthias just can't take that much light and end up not eating.

I have no experience with them, but I believe Bartlett's are good too, but the ones I have seen in tanks lost their great color over time. I'll have to see if the same happens with my Bicolor. I think feeding mysis shrimp may help with that problem.

I do know that the Purple Anthias (there are a couple of varieties) need softer lighting than a SPS reef aquarium.

Good luck!

Mark

[Northman_with_reef]

So strong light is not healthy for the anthias.

I have 2x250HQI's(10000A-B) over my tank, will this cause problems???

[scubadude]

Originally posted by Northman_with_reef
So strong light is not healthy for the anthias.

I have 2x250HQI's(10000A-B) over my tank, will this cause problems???

No I dont think your lights are gonna be a problem with anthias, however they need to be fed 2-3x's a day....they are pigs!

[almostdiva]

Thomas,

The sunburst/flathead anthias (Serranocirrhitus latus ) is my personal favorite. They are hearty and they are also gorgeous. You could do 1 male and 1 or 2 females in a tank your size (only 1 male). Here's a link that discusses them in detail [URL=http://www.wetwebmedia.com/serranocirrhitus.htm[/URL]
and another for the family in general:
www.wetwebmedia.com/anthiina.htm

I also like the huchtii (Pseudanthias huchtii) and the Lori's/Tiger Tuka (P. lori)

The sunburst just need a cave to hide in and some dark corners. You'll love whichever you choose!

Rebecca

[almostdiva]

OK, I screwed up the first URL.

Here it is:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/serranocirrhitus.htm

[Poseidon]

My experience with the Anthias are they are JUMPERS!!!! I was at Tropicorium considering purchasing a female (don't remember exact family) and when Jen went into the tank to get a Scooter blenny out for my buddy out flew the Fish I was looking at!!!! Man that thing got some AIR!!!!

Other then that my only other experience is I had a Pink Square Anthias as my very first "real" saltwater fish... (after the Damsels were taken out for the initial cycle) at the time I worked at a LFS and the the fish was Gorgeous!!!! I took him home acclimated him, and in the morning he was dead!!! We had only gotten him in days B4 and I had basically no clue as to what I was doing in Saltwater yet....

My 2 Cents...

Mike

[Northman_with_reef]

The jumping will be a real big problem...
My tank is an open top with only my hqi fixture hanging over it.
I've already lost a wrasse because of my open top...

I have 1NasoLiteratus 1Zebrasoma Xanthurus 1Z.Desjardini and 2Chrysiptera Parasema.

Will these fishes do okay with the Anthias????

[scubadude]

Originally posted by almostdiva
You could do 1 male and 1 or 2 females in a tank your size (only 1 male).

Actually anthias are hermaphrodites and have the ability to change sex, I believe if memory serves me correctly there is only 1 male at a time as to say forced evolution. If you put two males in a tank one will change into a female. and if you have 3 females and 1 male and the male dies then one of the females will change into a male......You know how us males are....we like being around lots of women

[scubadude]

Here is a picture of one of my Bartlett Anthias



I had 5 but now have 4, and I think I lost one because I wasnt feeding enough at the time I lost him.

Rocky

[kevinpo]

IME the Lyretail Anthias are one of the most hardy. They ignore other fish. Get all females and one will turn into a male or get 1 male and the rest females. 1 male and 3 females is minimum IMO/IME. Their favorite food is raw shrimp followed by freeze-dried plankton and frozen formula1 cubes. They do not mind high light (400W halides).

HTH,
Kevin

[scubadude]

Thats the male in the middle right kevin? Shrimp is the fav food for my anthias too, GOOD LORD I love all anthias...they are all so beautiful and very active....Im not one to put a fish in the tank if it hides in hole all the time

[kevinpo]

Yes the one with the long dorsal fin is the male. One of the other females has turned into a sub-male since the picture was taken.

Regards,
Kevin

[Northman_with_reef]

Nice!

Kevin,
You have just inspired me to get Lyretail Antias!

Thanks for all your replies!

-Thomas

[electric130]

i wish my tank was big enough for a nice school of anthias. i've only got a 90 though.

[Northman_with_reef]

Originally posted by electric130
i wish my tank was big enough for a nice school of anthias. i've only got a 90 though.

I've got a 100gal....Too small???

[hcp28]

Maybe he means his tank is already full... a 90 is surely big enough to hold a couple anthias right?

[electric130]

when i said a nice school, i meant about 8-10 of them. a 90 would be too small for this. plus i already have enough fish. i just need a bigger tank.