multiple anthias

[rng_pw]

I have a quick question. I currently only have one Bartlet anthias left due to a case of extreme carpet surfing:squigglemouth:. I have a 450 gallon tank and I would love to have a nice shoal of fish. I loved the way my bartlets always seemed to be within a foot of each other and I would love to add a bunch more. The issue, though is that there are some other anhias that I like as well and I was wondering if people have had success adding multiple anthias to one tank. If not how many bartlets do you think I should add. I was thinking 10:bigsmile:. Thanks in advance.

Ricky,

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

You could most definitely mix other species together with them, what were you thinking?

 

[rng_pw]

Well honestly, I had'nt gotten that far. I did'nt want to get my hopes up if it was'nt possible. I really like sunburst anthias as well as purple queens. Do you have any recomendations? Will they hang out together even if they are different types of anthias? Thanks

Ricky,

 

[inactive]

Purple Queens are very hard to care for.

 

[rng_pw]

Purple Queens are very hard to care for.

What should I look for when purchasing a healthy purple queen? My lfs has them quite regularly and they seem to do fine but they also sell pretty quick so I am not able to notice any long term problems. Thanks

Ricky,

 

[inactive]

They don't like to eat!

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

LOL, Kraylen is right... they're pretty tempermental but moreso I wouldn't recommend them as a species to mix. They're better suited as the only species of anthias in the tank with very calm tankmates (if that).

Sunburst anthias are hardy fish once you get them accepting prepared foods, which generally isn't too tough. Based on the size of your tank you could probably get away with a trio, but it wouldn't really be a trio as they would likely establish individual territories. To avoid any disputes just stick with one. My sunburst still won't accept pellets but jams on everything out of the freezer (Mysis, Brine, Rod's).

How often and what do you feed? What other kinds of fish do you keep? That will help determine suitable species.

 

[rng_pw]

I usually feed 2 times a day. Three times if you count the the nori strips.
my current fish list is
foxface
2 yellow tangs
1 hippo tang
ost
tennitti tang
purple tang
achilles tang
blue jaw trigger
2 percs
sixline wrasse
cleaner wrasse
lawnmower blenny
mandarin goby
1 bartlett anthias
The tank is 8ftx3ftx30''tall, with the rocks set up in pillars in the middle of the tank so both sids of the tank are open for swimming with a ton of pillars caves and a nice valley inbetween.

 

[rng_pw]

sorry I feed mysis, brine, krill, prime reef flakes along with zooplankton and other stuff for the corals. My bartlet even eats the nori strips.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

You'll want to stick with outgoing hardy fish, I would add a bunch more Bartlett's or Lyretails (my personal fav).

So what happened to your others? They joined a cult and all jumped at the same time (but cult leader didn't jump)?

 

[rng_pw]

You'll want to stick with outgoing hardy fish, I would add a bunch more Bartlett's or Lyretails (my personal fav).

So what happened to your others? They joined a cult and all jumped at the same time (but cult leader didn't jump)?

lol. No cult just a lovers quarell turned ugly:xd:.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

Ah, that'll happen!

Get some tops before trying again

 

[rng_pw]

I know. I am a slow learner. I lost 3 Hawiian flame wrasse the same way.........oopsps:.........I know I know dont yell at me.

Ricky,