Anthia 101

[Naiad]

So I was given 2 female lyre tail anthia (I believe). Looking at the basic info on these guys says anthia can be a bit tricky so I figured I best go to the experts. What makes these guys harder to keep? Are there any issues with having just the two females? Any other good to know information would be much appreciated.

 

[ksfulk]

Generally, anthias are frequent, mobile feeders in the wild. They prefer small frequent meals, rather than the usual one to two big meals that most people feed their tank. Lyretails are generally pretty hardy and shouldnt have any problem adapting to your tank feeding schedule. Two females generally isnt a problem up front, but more than likely one (or both) will turn into males, and when that happens there can be problems. I have a trio that I keep alongside other anthias (barletts, carberryis and resplendants) and I dont have any issues with feeding. But, I also have enough that the aggression/chasing is spread out amongst all of the fish, and the big male cant bully one female to death.

 

[Naiad]

Generally, anthias are frequent, mobile feeders in the wild. They prefer small frequent meals, rather than the usual one to two big meals that most people feed their tank. Lyretails are generally pretty hardy and shouldnt have any problem adapting to your tank feeding schedule. Two females generally isnt a problem up front, but more than likely one (or both) will turn into males, and when that happens there can be problems. I have a trio that I keep alongside other anthias (barletts, carberryis and resplendants) and I dont have any issues with feeding. But, I also have enough that the aggression/chasing is spread out amongst all of the fish, and the big male cant bully one female to death.

Would you recommend getting another female then? There is one large female and one smaller one. I don't want the poor little one to be harassed to death if the larger one turns male. My tank gets food throughout the day so that should not be a problem. The feeding schedule was designed for Leopard wrasse. Though the anthias are in qt right now so are getting food 2 times a day to not pollute the water.

 

[zoomonster]

Would you recommend getting another female then? There is one large female and one smaller one. I don't want the poor little one to be harassed to death if the larger one turns male. My tank gets food throughout the day so that should not be a problem. The feeding schedule was designed for Leopard wrasse. Though the anthias are in qt right now so are getting food 2 times a day to not pollute the water.

I would just get a male if your going to get another. Like was said the Lyretails are probably the easiest of the Anthias to keep. I have 4 different species of Anthias and they do just fine on getting fed 2 or more times a day. Having pods in the tank helps with that too.