Anthias need space or water quality?

[kinetic]

I understand the food requirements of anthias, but do tank size requirements mean more about water quality and the ability for a system to handle a lot of food? Or is it about space? Of course at some point it's about both, but just curious if either one was the bigger factor.

 

[Jekyl]

Both are equally as important. I wouldn't add fish meant for a larger system. I also wouldn't let my water quality go bad.

 

[Gtinnel]

I've been reading up about anthias because I am wanting to get a few and from what I've been reading it seems to mostly be about the space and aggressiveness among the group.
But since they need fed often I'm sure the ability to process the extra bio load in a big tank is helpful too.

 

[kinetic]

The aggression thing is interesting. When I've kept anthias in the past (in pretty big tanks), they were always so scared of everything that I don't think they ever had a chance to figure out some kind of pecking order amongst themselves.

I had both Bartlett and ventralis. They ate just fine, but were super skiddish. (Ultimately I introduced a fish by accident that had marine velvet, wiped everything out, big bummer).

 

[Gtinnel]

From what I understand (again just what I've read not personal experience) it's often the lyretails that are more aggressive amongst themselves. I've read that Bartletts and dispars are more peaceful. I don't know about any of the others because those are the 3 I have been looking at.