Anthias care, happy school.

b-o-b-s · Feb 22, 2014

So I recently purchased one male and two female anthias for my 125 mixed reef. Just wondering if it's normal that the male is a bit shy and veering away from the females. He seemed to have taken a looking to my cleaner shrimp, not sure if he likes the shrimp or if he likes the light and or flow where the shrimp hangs out. They all seem healthy and I've only had them for a few days now so I'm kinda just throwing this out there. Any recommendations on keeping a happy healthy school of anthias would bee great. Thanks!

TrialandError · Feb 22, 2014

I have a trio as well and they all kind of do their own thing. The male will occasionally coral the females to his corner and dance for them. It's quite funny.

b-o-b-s · Feb 25, 2014

Could anyone suggest a couple good foods to try? So far I've tried mysis, frozen plankton, frozen baby brine, and formula2. I have live brine on order. Anyways they don't seem to have been feeding very well at normal feeding times and I don't really want to over feed the tank.

CountrySideCoral · Feb 25, 2014

I have found with anthias that getting them to eat can be tricky but high protein diet is important in order to have a high success rate in the beginning.

xthunderx · Feb 25, 2014

I bought a good size school of anthias, total of 9. 1 male 8 females, got them eating by fortifying mysis shrimp with garlic and selcon. First day they didn't eat much, but they are eating well now. Give it some time I'm sure they will do fine. Garlic for taste and selcon to fatten them up.

b-o-b-s · Feb 25, 2014

Thanks folks I will look into that stuff. tonight they ate more of the plankton then I had seen in the last few days so that's a good sign. They are definitely still finding their places in the tank, can't believe how shy the male is. He's a little wall flower lol

CastAway · Feb 25, 2014

Anthias need to eat often, so I read, and require several feedings a day. I've heard automatic feeders and feeding rings are helpful for anthias.

Green0j0s · Feb 26, 2014

My male Anthia is an ***!! He chases the females around the tank anytime I get close to the tank cause he thinks I'm gonna feed them.

DSP · Feb 26, 2014

Pe mysis and cyclopeze mixed with marine quizine and vita Chem anthias can't resist it.

NC2WA · Feb 26, 2014

Agreed..multiple feedings throughout the day.

you may want to read this article which is an article of a 4 part series..worthing reading IMO if you want to have anthias or learn more about them:

Keeping the Jewels of the Reef: The Anthias of the Genus Pseudanthias - Part 3

xthunderx · Feb 28, 2014

I feed my anthias twice a day, once during lunch and once at night. They are fat and happy. If my tank wasn't an SPS tank, I'd probably do one more feeding, but this is working so far.