Anthias Questions

MombasaLionfish · Oct 22, 2019

I do not know much about the requirement for this fish so please inform me. I know the need to be fed 3-8x a day with different variety of food. But what else, can I keep one in a 10 gallon? Can I keep different types of them in one tank? Are they aggressive?

truetricia · Oct 22, 2019

Honestly, go onto Live Aquaria for some good knowledge on anthias species, basic care requirements, and temperaments. They have some good base line information that should help you answer those basic questions. I find their website very helpful for those sort of things. It's what I do anyways!

But I can't think of a single anthias that would be good in a 10g long term.

falconut · Oct 22, 2019

I agree with truetricia, anthias are probably too active for a 10 gallon. My lyretails are very active. Look up bennies & gobies, I believe there's a decent amount suitable for a 10 gallon.

C. Eymann · Oct 22, 2019

Anthias are not for beginners and should be kept in groups preferably in a 75+gal larger tank.

Three times a day or more feeding small amounts is pretty much a requirement for all species of anthias.

ca1ore · Oct 22, 2019

Pseudoanthias (actually) are tricky fish for a number of reasons. They’re also a wide ranging genus with easier and harder to keep species. A number of them get quite large and need space, others stay quite small and need a lot less space. 10 gallon is probably pushing it, but you could keep a single resplendant in a 20L.

Seanislav · Oct 22, 2019

My experience with a few species of Anthias has dictated that minimum tank size should be about 50 gallons. They're typically recommended for small groups, rather than just one individual. Additionally, similar to wrasses, fully developed males will fight if there's any more than one. Jt's usually recommended that one get one male with a harem of females...if the male dies, one of the females will develop into a male to take his place.

MombasaLionfish · Oct 22, 2019

Alright are they compatible with lionfish and ribbon eels? How many of them can I fit in a 60 gl?

Seanislav · Oct 22, 2019

No first hand experience, but what I've heard about eels and lionfish is that if another fish fits into their mouths, it's dinner. Depending on the size of either of them, Anthias could be pretty tasty.

Absent of the predators, a group of 5-7 Bartlett, Dispar, or Randall's Anthias would do pretty well, as they're generally smaller than Square Spot, which can reach 4-5 inches.

MombasaLionfish · Oct 22, 2019

I'm planning on a smaller lionfish with two clowns three dominos and a blue ribbon eel. I like anthias and was wondering if they could squeeze into my list. I am also planning to set up a smaller 10-40 gl aquarium for my hermit who outgrew the 60 gl with a wobbly rock structure.

falconut · Oct 22, 2019

You may want to skip the lion, as it'll probably eat both the clowns & dominos. Also, the blue ribbon eels are difficult, so make sure to really research.

vetteguy53081 · Oct 22, 2019

They need good room and grow quickly as they feed frequently. Can be semi aggressive towards each other.

Small triggers · Oct 22, 2019

MombasaLionfish said:
I'm planning on a smaller lionfish with two clowns three dominos and a blue ribbon eel. I like anthias and was wondering if they could squeeze into my list. I am also planning to set up a smaller 10-40 gl aquarium for my hermit who outgrew the 60 gl with a wobbly rock structure.

Even a smaller lion has a BIG mouth. I had a cute little fumanchu inhale a 2inch clown... no issue with anthias that get too close either then

sam.veilleux30 · Oct 22, 2019

I added three lyretail anthias in my 100g 3 years ago when i saw a friend of mine (beginner reefer) been able to keep them easily.
One went mia the following year but the remaining two were just fine with no special requirements (no extra feeding, just 2 meals per day) until last month.
The smaller one died without explanation and now my last one is acting funny.
That being said, 3 years for a "expert only" fish is not that bad.
Really fun to watch, they love to swim so anything under 50-75g would be inapropriate imo.

vetteguy53081 · Oct 23, 2019

MombasaLionfish said:
I'm planning on a smaller lionfish with two clowns three dominos and a blue ribbon eel. I like anthias and was wondering if they could squeeze into my list. I am also planning to set up a smaller 10-40 gl aquarium for my hermit who outgrew the 60 gl with a wobbly rock structure.

Always keep this rule in mind:
“ ANY FISH THAT CAN FIT IN ANOTHER FISHs’ MOUTH SOONER OR LATER WILL” !!

ReefBeta · Oct 23, 2019

A single anthias with the clowns and dominos can work in a 60 gallons. It's not ideal as they can grow quite big, easily double the size of a full grown clownfish. But should be able to get couple years there and look for upgrade later.

Also keeping a group is best for letting the male showcase its vibrant color. When keeping a single male, there are chance that it will reverse back to female to some extent, probably when it's not the dominant fish in the tank. I had a male square anthias that turn from the male's purple color back to more of orange like the female. The square was still there, but also faded somewhat.

Lol21 · Oct 23, 2019

Ivr never had success with anthias.. i can keep any fish or coral.. but anthias always die in days mouth open.. its weird

Gary Inwood · Oct 23, 2019

Lol21 said:
Ivr never had success with anthias.. i can keep any fish or coral.. but anthias always die in days mouth open.. its weird

Same here I brought four last year and now i'm down to one, there just disappeared.

vetteguy53081 · Oct 23, 2019

Its so weird. They’re obviously challenging as i at one time couldn’t keep them alive and I have 6 at least 2 years old and were a little over an inch and now over 3” and just went through a tank transfer and doing super

SeaDweller · Oct 23, 2019

Anthias are very active fish that love to swim and eat. Even swimming stationary in the water column requires a lot of energy, meaning alot of food. I love anthias and have been most successful keeping at least 5+ of any given species. Currently have 22 anthias in my tank and seeing how they interact with one another in such a large group/shoal/harem, I couldn't imagine keeping one or two singly. To me, it doesn't feel or look right. I'd skip them unless you can do like a single sunburst or borbonias.

MombasaLionfish · Oct 23, 2019

Thank you for your input I think I will do my lion and eel in this tank and later on start a new and bigger tank for mainly them. I might try a single sunburst or borbonias like SeaDweller said. I have lots of flow and swimming room and am able to feed plenty of times a day. I do not have a lion or eel yet.

My tank: