Anthias or Fairy Wrasse

[Oredigger77]

I'm working on my stocking list for my SR-120 and trying to get some smaller fish to fill in behind my planned big boys - 2x Regal Angels, Purple tang, White tail tang, rabbit fish, 2x Maroon Clowns and a Melanurus Wrasse. My wife really likes anthias so we've been thinking about getting a lyretail anthias trio but I was just reading the wrasse guy's information on fairy wrasses and I think they look much better. If we went the wrasse way I've been looking at getting a pintail, a rhomboid, and a exquisite which all seem to be compatible.

Any thoughts on if fairy wrasses or anthias would do better with our other planned fish. Currently we've only got the Regals in the tank though we've had the purple tang and the melanurus wrasse for a year and mainly bought the tank to give the purple the nice 6' swim room. Any other stocking ideas are welcome too.

 

[Miami Reef]

Anthias are one of my all time favorite fish. They simulate the natural reef and bring a flash of activity.

However, I will be the first to say that anthias do NOT make easy fish to keep. A few reasons for this:

1. They are active planktivores and require multiple feeds a day (about 5-6 IMO). They are a very high demand fish.

2. They are VERY susceptible to uronema, one of the most difficult fish parasites to treat. There is absolutely no medication that reliably treats uronema. A mixture of formalin baths, metronidazole dosing AND food soaking will not even cure cases with active red sores - those fish are toast. The fish that don’t yet develop the sores may or may not die as well depending on your luck.

3. Anthias thrive best in large groups (over 6). It will diffuse aggression between the harem.


Wrasses (especially flasher wrasses) are extremely brightly colored and although they do require feedings of at least twice per day, they will stay happy and healthy with that regime. They are not prone to uronema and have a much better chance of success.

Here’s a picture of anthias in wild (notice how they are even developing the uronema red sores) Especially on the top right.

 

[Miami Reef]

Flasher wrasses are my favorite because once each wrasse transitions into a male, they will flash and display around the tank. While they do need a lid (they are jumpers) everything else about them is essentially perfect.

They are absolutely stunning fish who swim towards the middle of the water column, sometimes exploring the area above the rock work.

If you enjoy wrasses, definitely decide to choose them over the anthias!

A Mcosker wrasse flashing (image from google)

 

[Sean Clark]

I would agree that Anthias are hard to keep long term.

The fairy wrasses will probably be a better experience for you.

 

[Oredigger77]

Some of the needs of the anthias definitely worry me along with what I've read from people about them all eventually turning male and killing each other

 

[Miami Reef]

Some of the needs of the anthias definitely worry me along with what I've read from people about them all eventually turning male and killing each other

It really depends on the species. Dispar anthias are peaceful and a large tank can support multiple males. Lyretail anthias are more aggressive towards each other. I haven’t heard much about lyretails turning male when there’s already a dominant one. Usually the males and the dominant females prevent other females from turning male with aggression.

 

[Miami Reef]

Here is a video from YouTube of a harem of anthias that I call a success. The video creator said these fish are fed a mixture of brine, mysis, krill, fish eggs, and flakes 8 times per day. It’s an incredible bioload!

 

[Oredigger77]

Wow, that's fun. I can't imagine trying to feed 8 times a day. We do two and I've thought about adding a 3rd for the baby but even today their first day in the tank I could only do 2.

 

[Miami Reef]

Wow, that's fun. I can't imagine trying to feed 8 times a day. We do two and I've thought about adding a 3rd for the baby but even today their first day in the tank I could only do 2.

They use autofeeders.

Anthias aren’t impossible, just difficult. IMO I think keeping them well fed is the easy part - most pellets are extremely calorie dense! The difficult part is getting them through quarantine. If you can manage that (buying from TSM who prequarantines them is the easiest!) then you’ll have a great tank with anthias.

 

[LeftyReefer]

I wouldn't say flasher wrasses are all that easy to keep or get through QT either. My luck has been rather hit or miss with flasher wrasses. They seem to have a lot of issues of their own too.

but I just can't help myself, haha.... I've got a male McCosker flasher wrasse and a female Carberri anthia in QT together right now. they've been through the first prazi treatment and are on day 3 in copper. so far so good. Every one is still eating and appear to be doing fine.

The carberri anthia was doing a little scratching at first, but that seems to have stopped now that its been in copper for a couple days.

Fingers crossed that I can get them both through 30 days of copper and another prazi treatment or two.