Grouping different Anthias?

[germs101]

After reading this article about Wrasse, https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/pairing-wrasses-thats-not-how-any-of-this-works.3/ it got me thinking about Anthias. Would the same logic apply? Has anyone tried it?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Anthias social dynamics are similar, but different. Keeping most anthias singly is not optimal. Most of the commonly available will do best with one male with a few females.

Anthias are more closely tied to their group structure than fairy and flasher wrasses. So while not true pr forming fish, the best displays and overall health of these fish are seen in group settings.

 

[MCooper]

So what would you think about a pair of Barlett Anthias and then 2 female and 1 male Lyretails @eatbreakfast?

 

[eatbreakfast]

So what would you think about a pair of Barlett Anthias and then 2 female and 1 male Lyretails @eatbreakfast?

That should work, though mff trios of each would be better.

 

[germs101]

That should work, though mff trios of each would be better.

Would a group of 6 (1m, 5f) be better than two different trios, or are two trios fine?

 

[germs101]

Oh, and I know adding a group of the same should go in all together, but if doing two trios, could one trio be added and the next trio at a later time?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Would a group of 6 (1m, 5f) be better than two different trios, or are two trios fine?

In my experience, I have found the 1:5 ratio to be the best, though 2 groups odf 1:3 will still work in many cases.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Oh, and I know adding a group of the same should go in all together, but if doing two trios, could one trio be added and the next trio at a later time?

Add the groups according to aggression levels. Squammipinnis and bartletts are comparable, so should be added simultaneously for best results.

 

[germs101]

Lyretail and Pink square are comparable aggression?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Lyretail and Pink square are comparable aggression?

Comparable, but pink squares are bigger, so can be added after squammipinnis.

 

[MCooper]

What if you have 2 bartletts and 4 female lyretails ? Should I add a 5th female lyretail ?

 

[eatbreakfast]

What if you have 2 bartletts and 4 female lyretails ? Should I add a 5th female lyretail ?

No. I wouldn't add a single lyretail to existing group of lyretails. Four should still be ok.

 

[MIKE NY]

this was my tank a few years ago before I got into wrasses...I was an Anthias addict...from what I read/told and mentiond here its best to keep them in groups. I tried keeping different species together with similar dispositions and it worked well for me....

 

[locito277]

this was my tank a few years ago before I got into wrasses...I was an Anthias addict...from what I read/told and mentiond here its best to keep them in groups. I tried keeping different species together with similar dispositions and it worked well for me....

Awesome. What are the pinker ones called?

 

[MIKE NY]

Thanks! The bright pink with the red stripes are Pseudoanthias Lori. They shoaled well with the Purple Queens, Ignitus and Dispars. The Randall's and Marcia mixed in when food was present.

 

[locito277]

Are they hardy and easy to get to eat?

 

[MIKE NY]

I wouldn't recommend them for beginners. The more aggressive Anthias like Bartletts and Lyretails are much harder and easier. These guys took me a few days to come out of the rockwork and begin eating from the QT, but having the others out help their acclimation.

 

[locito277]

So you would recommend having the others in first. How large a group would you recommend? I bought one many yrs ago but it was a loner unfortunately. Never saw another until recently. What AMD how often do
You feed them?