Which Anthias?

[potatocouch]

In 2 foot cube, which should i get
Squamipinnis (Lyretail)

Or dispar

Plan to stock with Chromis and Sunburst

 

[hart24601]

I have a 60g cube and picked a group of dispars. I wanted a decent sized school and being smaller I can have a couple more for same biomass.


Ny aquatics messed up my order tho and gave me 5 dispar and 1 lyre so I didn't get it exactly right. Ha

 

[potatocouch]

I have a 60g cube and picked a group of dispars. I wanted a decent sized school and being smaller I can have a couple more for same biomass.


Ny aquatics messed up my order tho and gave me 5 dispar and 1 lyre so I didn't get it exactly right. Ha

Ok

 

[hart24601]

Kewl

 

[eatbreakfast]

Dispars are more peaceful, and therefore better suited for a tank that size.

 

[FYRSQL]

Dispars for sure in that size. I have 7 lyretail in my 180 and they're very aggressive. Couldn't imagine them in anything smaller

 

[mtraylor]

Dispar would be a better choice. The Lyretails get pretty big. I would not buy put the chromis in that tank.

 

[potatocouch]

The poll say otherwise though LOL

Lyretail over Dispar

 

[Maritimer]

Polls can be influenced by the fact that people often vote for the face they recognize. Lyretails are far more commonly available than dispars . . .

~Bruce, who saw some Randall's for the first time today ... and isn't sure they _make_ a tank big enough to keep all the fish he likes looking at . . .

 

[potatocouch]

Thanks @Maritimer

Folks, what else beside Sunburst would you keep? What Anthias? You mentioned Randall? Is it as pretty as Fathead? Hardier?

55 gallons cube, folks.

At the moment, empty... Wiped out due to Velvet, so fallow at the moment, been fallow for 1 month and keeping it on the safe margin, thinking of doing another 2 months fallow, not in rush.

 

[Maritimer]

I've got a brace of Bartlett's right now, and as pretty as they are, I wouldn't recommend them if you also want to keep flasher wrasses or other small planktivores. They're often the first fish visitors comment on, but they're hyperactive and a bit snippity.

They're also the only anthias I've kept. The Randall's were at a LFS.

~Bruce

 

[greenhorn reefer]

Lyretail and a Midas Blenny would be a cool pair for the tank. They like each other and show no aggression. Their colors compliment each other too. Two or more lyretail in a tank that small doesn't seem safe. It's not the bioload or size, it's the aggression that schooling fish have towards each other. One will be male and harass the beta to keep it female and she will just about kill every other sub under her. In a small tank the smaller ones can't escape the bullying to rest and/or eat and will eventually die. A single anthias is best for small tanks. If you want a school then stick with the green chro idea.

 

[mtraylor]

Well I guess it depends on what you want. I did vote in the poll for you. LOL.

So the lyretail are semi aggressive fish and get big. I mean big. They are beautiful though. If you are set on getting the pesky chromis fish. They will be pair better.

I would personally get the sunburst and dispar. I currently have some Randals Anthias. They are small and beautiful. I would throw them into the mix. They are dosil fish and beautiful. I will get them over the dispar and they are on sale at live aquaria right now.

 

[potatocouch]

@mtraylor since you've kept Randals (and assumed that you've also kept Sunburst and Dispar?) ... would you say in a 55 gallon (full of live rocks), can I keep:

• 1 x Sunburst
• 1 x Randals
• 1 x Dispar
• 1 x Sunset
• 1 x Orchid Dottyback

no more Chromis.

What say you about those 5 selection? I have no intention of schooling etc as tank is too small for a school.

Next question (if the above selections are okay), should I be pedantic with gender selection?

 

[mtraylor]

Yes I have kept Randals, Sunburst and Dispar anthias. They are all peaceful, so I don't think you will end up having an issue. I would get say one male Randal, one female Randal, one female dispar and 1 or 2 sunsets. I think you will be ok there. The problem I have ran into with anthias is that if you have a semi aggressive anthias say like Barletts. They beat up there females allot. If you would get a male Bartlett and one of other species and they should turn to male. The Bartlett would try to kill any other male in the aquarium and try to take all the female anthius regardless of species. Just FYI.

Now going to the orchid dottyback. I have never had a orchid dottyback, but I have had a splendid dottyback and he was really mean. I wouldn't get that fish unless it was your last one. It may put all your anthias in the floor.

 

[Kmsutows]

5 anthias in a 55 cube? Man I would highly discourage it. I had 3 lyretail in a 55 long and it was way too small! IMO all those species need a bigger tank

 

[potatocouch]

@Kmsutows I'll take it that you only house 3 lyretails in the 55g and that are the only fish ?

I'm a sole believer of "monkey see monkey do", so housing 1 in a 55g will definitely be comfortable for the fish but not so much for the keeper (me).

If only I can keep 3 of Sunburst, I would but dang price tag $$$ ....

So Sunburst x 1 is a definite ... what would you suggest to add (Anthias kind)? and gender?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Lyretails are more aggressive than randalls, dispars, and sunsets, so 3 of those in a 55 are less likely to work out than a group of 5 of the other species.

 

[potatocouch]

Lyretails are more aggressive than randalls, dispars, and sunsets, so 3 of those in a 55 are less likely to work out than a group of 5 of the other species.

Thanks Lyretails is out of the equation

 

[rich nyc]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=358580
Dispar Anthias (Female Trio) (Pseudanthias dispar) 99$ on live Aquaria. I wish I had a tank big enough for them