Anthias advice/suggestions

[terri_ann]

Try to keep them separated for weeks. They need more time apart. Sounds like the separation helps but just not long enough. Know a very experienced reefer who will keep tangs apart for +4weeks before letting them together
He says when they just go about their business (not looking at each other), then he let's them together. Try after lights out but still where you can observe.

 

[ruppertb]

Kevin kohen of life aquaria divers den suggested to me years ago the least aggressive anthias would be resplendent, Evans or princess. This was after I had some bully lyertail in reef tank

 

[wangspeed]

Kevin kohen of life aquaria divers den suggested to me years ago the least aggressive anthias would be resplendent, Evans or princess. This was after I had some bully lyertail in reef tank

I agree. The ones that I have that may be male or have already transitioned are tolerant of each other. Just some visual flaring at each other. No one is bullied to hiding, except for the one that got injured during the move from QT to DT. She got pop eye as a result of getting her head stuck in a rock, and lost that eye.

Here’s a close up of one of them. The color on them is stunning. I can’t believe resplendents and Randall’s aren’t more popular.

 

[pecan2phat]

What about Bimaculatus?

 

[truetricia]

I agree. The ones that I have that may be male or have already transitioned are tolerant of each other. Just some visual flaring at each other. No one is bullied to hiding, except for the one that got injured during the move from QT to DT. She got pop eye as a result of getting her head stuck in a rock, and lost that eye.

Here’s a close up of one of them. The color on them is stunning. I can’t believe resplendents and Randall’s aren’t more popular.

You just changed my mind about what I want in my future tank.... I think these will do. Do mixed anthias in a tank keep the female population of the other species in-check as well? If I had a mixed group of small juveniles, will one from each species change, or will there just be a single male that rules them all?

 

[eatbreakfast]

You just changed my mind about what I want in my future tank.... I think these will do. Do mixed anthias in a tank keep the female population of the other species in-check as well? If I had a mixed group of small juveniles, will one from each species change, or will there just be a single male that rules them all?

Depends on the species involved. Though overtime most will transition to male eventually.

 

[wangspeed]

I have one that has turned. The difference is subtle. Th females bicker a little but nothing like Bartlett’s and Lyretails. They were also super easy to feed in QT. They eat about everything, including pellets.

The male’s tail is less yellow and more pink now. The other fins gain color too. Here’s a female that is picking up more color.

I would say go for Resplendent anthias. I saw some Randall’s and they are more orange. I guess it depends on what color you want. I also really like how mine tend to hang out with each other.

 

[wangspeed]

Btw- that’s their actual color. Not faded pink like some anthias. These are totally unedited photos straight from my camera.

 

[truetricia]

Y

I have one that has turned. The difference is subtle. Th females bicker a little but nothing like Bartlett’s and Lyretails. They were also super easy to feed in QT. They eat about everything, including pellets.

The male’s tail is less yellow and more pink now. The other fins gain color too. Here’s a female that is picking up more color.

I would say go for Resplendent anthias. I saw some Randall’s and they are more orange. I guess it depends on what color you want. I also really like how mine tend to hang out with each other.

You've convinced me! I've been diving in the Maldives with both species of anthias. I saw significantly more of the Lyretails, but I would like a school of anthias that are easier rather than bickering all the time.

 

[KJoFan]

Those Resplendents are nice looking. I've got 6 Ignitus in QT currently. They've been good eaters since the get go and all seem to get along and come out to eat every time. They're all living in a 10g QT tank since...the beginning of June I think without issue. They've got another month basically to go before they graduate to the display.

I don't know how well Resplendents would mix with Ignitus but I might have to snag some. The Ignitus are predominantly orange so these would be a nice contrast.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Those Resplendents are nice looking. I've got 6 Ignitus in QT currently. They've been good eaters since the get go and all seem to get along and come out to eat every time. They're all living in a 10g QT tank since...the beginning of June I think without issue. They've got another month basically to go before they graduate to the display.

I don't know how well Resplendents would mix with Ignitus but I might have to snag some. The Ignitus are predominantly orange so these would be a nice contrast.

Resplendent and ignitus anthias mix well.

 

[KJoFan]

Resplendent and ignitus anthias mix well.

I purposely stayed away from the more aggressive ones like the lyretails as I'm aiming to have as peaceful tank as possible. I might have to look into the Resplendents once I get my existing fish in QT into the display. Glad they get along!

 

[cracker]

Please tell me if this is right. Get a group , (say 7) get them as small as possible & add them all at once ?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Please tell me if this is right. Get a group , (say 7) get them as small as possible & add them all at once ?

Thats a good plan.

 

[ca1ore]

The only trouble with the less aggressive pseudoanthias like princess, evansi, ventralis, etc. is that they do not compete well for food with fish like tangs. Resplendant/randalls are a bit better, but even they can be problematic with bigger fish. I do think Bartlett get a bad rap. They're more chippy than homicidal, and if well fed with adequate swimming room will do just fine with bigger fish. Males, and you will end up with more than one, are among the more spectacularly colored of the pseudoanthias.

 

[TLO45]

My personal favorite is Bimaculatus but they are a bit larger and if you have a lot of fish now you may want a smaller species. Squas and Bartlett’s are more common and hardy but can be a bit more pugnacious ime. And of the mentioned above (ignites, Randall’s ) are a bit less temperamental.