What kind of anthias?

Mini Coop · Feb 7, 2018

Most of the fish I have for the tank right now are small. So, I would like to get my school of anthias next! (Current fish in QT will be done in 2 weeks).

I am planning on getting 5 females with one male.
I can not spent $100 per fish or anything crazy. I would not consider myself an expert reefer, but am not afraid of any that might need some care to get to eat. (I have heard anthias can be finicky). I just want a beautiful school for my tank.

Stock list:
Already have/will have in main tank when they are added:
2 ocellaris clowns
1 Cardinal
2 wheeler's shrimp gobys
Scooter blenny
Flame hawk

Have in an old tank, will be adding LATER:
Foxface
Sailfin

Planned for the future (feel free to weigh in)
firefish
mandarin
powder blue tang
naso tang
McCosker wrasse
Leopard Wrasse
yellow corris (maybe - can't decide what I want the 3rd wrasse to be)
Niger Trigger - - - I know . . . risk with a mixed reef. Thinking I will get a baby and "raise him right" with the knowledge that he **may** have to find a new home if he is not a model citizen.

Also - would like fish that play nice - or as much as fish play nice.

Any quarantine advice for them? I usually QT for 6 weeks. I have a 20 gallon, and planning on getting small ones. I like to watch them grow. I run prazi week 1 and copper if ANYTHING suspicious comes up in the next 5 weeks.

Thanks for the help!!!

Brew12 · Feb 7, 2018

I would add 5 beautiful anthias. If you avoid the ones you find ugly I think you will enjoy them more.

Going to send you a PM with a more serious answer.

Maritimer · Feb 7, 2018

I'm in a somewhat similar situation, and would consider Dispars / Ignitus or Randall's / Resplendent anthias. I think they're a decent balance between (moderately) hardy, peaceful and smaller size. Tried Bartlett's, which sadly didn't work out well.

~Bruce

Justfebreezeit · Feb 7, 2018

Maybe a melanurus wrasse for that third wrasse you cant decide! I've been reading how great they are for pests.

Will defer anthias to others though

TX_Punisher · Feb 7, 2018

Lyretails or dispars. Can find them occasionally for $12-15/ea.

ltmsc · Feb 7, 2018

I really like my Lyretail Anthias. I have 4 females and 1 male. The color really show well in my aquarium. You can see my male and 2 females in this picture.

Daltrey · Feb 7, 2018

I went with a dispar because they are peaceful and grow to a max of 4 inches so not too big.

https://m.drsfostersmith.com/Pic/article.cfm?c=3578&aid=2476

Kmsutows · Feb 7, 2018

What size is your tank? What is the max times of day you are willing to feed fresh food long term?

P-Dub · Feb 7, 2018

Just a thought. Have you considered any pseudo anthias? always remain relatively small.

lagatbezan · Feb 7, 2018

I have heard lyretails can be really mean and aggressive toward each other and pick on the weakest one to death and then on to the next one. How true is that?

eatbreakfast · Feb 8, 2018

Maritimer said:
I'm in a somewhat similar situation, and would consider Dispars / Ignitus or Randall's / Resplendent anthias. I think they're a decent balance between (moderately) hardy, peaceful and smaller size. Tried Bartlett's, which sadly didn't work out well.

~Bruce

I strongly recommend these species. They are relatively hardy, more peaceful than lyretails, and shoal better than most other anthias.

lagatbezan said:
I have heard lyretails can be really mean and aggressive toward each other and pick on the weakest one to death and then on to the next one. How true is that?

It depends on the circumstances. With more space, flow, and feedings they are more tolerant of each other.

ca1ore · Feb 8, 2018

P-Dub said:
Just a thought. Have you considered any pseudo anthias? always remain relatively small.

When folks use the term 'anthias' in the context of reefing they actually mean pseudoanthias. The vast majority of the fish (maybe even all) available to us - including all of the ones mentioned in this thread so far - are pseudoanthias. If one is going for easier but still colorful then Ignitus/Dispar are probably the best choice. Randalls/resplendent are harder.