Blotched anthias?!

Theclutziestspazzofaninja · Jun 3, 2013

I've been wanting one of these guys for quite some time, and now I finally have the chance to buy one!
Anyone kept them or currently keeping them? Or just know anything about them? I've been trying to do some research, but I feel like I need more info before I can purchase such an expensive fish!
My tank is a 72 gal bowfront, with two vortechs for flow, currently set-up as a growing reef, it's summer so the temp is staying between 78-80 but the rest of the year it drops to about 75, and the current tank inhabitants are:
Pair of ocellaris clowns, flame wrasse, algae Blenny, and 3 pj cardinals.
Thank you in advance for any advice and feel free to ask any questions if it'll help decide whether or not one of these beautiful fish would be suitable for my tank!

Mr. E Wrasse · Jun 3, 2013

Sounds like he would do fine! They do like a little cooler water but I think hed be fine during the summer

Aquaph8 · Jun 3, 2013

I would recommend a little bigger tank but your not too far off. Your tank mates seems fine thou.

Theclutziestspazzofaninja · Jun 3, 2013

The fish is only two inches, so I think I'd upgrade by the time he's about full grown (or I hope to) but could he live comfortably do you think until then?
Thank you for the replies!

Jlobes · Jun 3, 2013

such an awesome fish!!! been on my must have list for quite some time. I am actually wanting to get a trio!

Theclutziestspazzofaninja · Jun 3, 2013

That would be amazing! Hopefully you find that perfect trio!!!

Aquaph8 · Jun 3, 2013

That was supposed to be not too far off, forgive my reckless typing. I think as long as you don't overstock that he'll probably be fine.

Theclutziestspazzofaninja · Jun 3, 2013

Cool

Do you know I'd they ship well?
Thanks!

Theclutziestspazzofaninja · Jun 3, 2013

If***

Aquaph8 · Jun 3, 2013

I haven't heard too many complaints, they seem pretty hardy.

lps1212 · Jun 3, 2013

My trio is doing great although 1 the bigger onehastaken to bullying the 2 smaller ones eat like pigs and have great personalities. I especially like the way they just perch in odd positions. I'd say you would be fine go ahead and pull the trigger

Theclutziestspazzofaninja · Jun 3, 2013

Aquaph8 said:
I haven't heard too many complaints, they seem pretty hardy.

lps1212 said:
My trio is doing great although 1 the bigger onehastaken to bullying the 2 smaller ones eat like pigs and have great personalities. I especially like the way they just perch in odd positions. I'd say you would be fine go ahead and pull the trigger

You're making me much more confident in buying the little guy! Thank you! Haha Hopefully your three work it out!

I have one more question- Are they very sensitive when it comes to water quality? I typically do a good job when it comes to keeping everything up to par, but when I go on vacation or have a busy couple weeks I just want to make sure the fish can handle small changes in water quality and salinity.

o2manyfish · Jun 3, 2013

I have had a pair of Borbonius for about 5 months now. They are great, get along fine and the only issue I have is they are growing much faster than I would like. (I like small fish).

They are great community fish, and eat anything (foodwise) that goes in the tank.

Dave B

stunreefer · Jun 3, 2013

I just posted a link to your thread on another forum you should read through.

These are a great fish, one of my favorites. However, they are collected in (relatively) deep water and do not ship well if they've just come in. They notoriously have swim bladder issues, and many times these issues do not arise for over a month after being imported. If you're serious about one (or more) I highly suggest divers den, and no matter where you source them a full QT period is crucial. Flukes are common with these guys along with internal parasites, although both relatively easy to shake. They can be extremely timid when first introduced and can take some time to readily accept prepared foods (another reason QT is crucial). With that said once they settle in they're hardy as heck, very similar to a small grouper, and can get pretty fiesty!

Theclutziestspazzofaninja · Jun 3, 2013

stunreefer said:
I just posted a link to your thread on another forum you should read through.

These are a great fish, one of my favorites. However, they are collected in (relatively) deep water and do not ship well if they've just come in. They notoriously have swim bladder issues, and many times these issues do not arise for over a month after being imported. If you're serious about one (or more) I highly suggest divers den, and no matter where you source them a full QT period is crucial. Flukes are common with these guys along with internal parasites, although both relatively easy to shake. They can be extremely timid when first introduced and can take some time to readily accept prepared foods (another reason QT is crucial). With that said once they settle in they're hardy as heck, very similar to a small grouper, and can get pretty fiesty!

I'll read through that!

I just wanted to get as many opinions as possible out there. Haha

the one I want is actually on DD...want him so bad! Haha thanks for the help!

Theclutziestspazzofaninja · Jun 3, 2013

That's great! Thanks for sharing!

Theclutziestspazzofaninja · Jun 3, 2013

I'm sorry, my phone didn't quote what you said o2manyfish! That last post was for you! Haha
I promise I saw it!

From all you posting saying you have them they seem to be fairly easy to care for and don't have too much trouble when it comes to eating.
If keep the main lights on my display off for three days and then I'll only keep them on four a couple hours a day for the rest of the week keeping them on a little longer everyday so the fish can acclimate to the new environment without the stress of bright lights.

stunreefer · Jun 4, 2013

Are you not planning on QTing?

Good thought on the lights... anytime I bring new fish into my QT system I dim the lights almost completely (my QT uses Ecoxotic Stunners with dimmers) for a few days, and very slowly ramp them up over the next few weeks. A fish from DD has already gone through a similar conditioning process (although they use red lights initially for deep water fish). For your display you could use window screen, and layer it up. Removing layer by layer over a few weeks, assuming corals seem happy.

Aquaph8 · Jun 4, 2013

Listen to this guy ^^^, I've learned a lot from him over the years. Great info Stunreefer.

Theclutziestspazzofaninja · Jun 4, 2013

stunreefer said:
Are you not planning on QTing?

Good thought on the lights... anytime I bring new fish into my QT system I dim the lights almost completely (my QT uses Ecoxotic Stunners with dimmers) for a few days, and very slowly ramp them up over the next few weeks. A fish from DD has already gone through a similar conditioning process (although they use red lights initially for deep water fish). For your display you could use window screen, and layer it up. Removing layer by layer over a few weeks, assuming corals seem happy.

I would quarantine, but I don't have the proper set-up right now and I've never quarantined anything so I wouldn't really know how to go about it. :/
The screen is an excellent idea!
I'm definitely ordering from live aquaria, so wouldn't the fish most likely be fine without being quarantined?
Thank you for all the help!