LF Stocking Advice - Calling all Anthias Keepers!

[tang daddy]

Originally Posted by Myka

I think at only 54 gallons your tank is pretty full already! I don't think there is room for 3-5 Anthias. I wouldn't put Anthias in a 54-gallon tank to begin with. They require a lot of food. The easiest ones to keep long-term are Lyretails, but the males are certainly too big for 54 gallons.

I second this, I have tried a few different types of anthias in my 90cube and they all have slowly dwindled, I feed a lot but the case here is agression. I had about 7 disparate which lived for 4 months then every month one would go missing, added some hardy lyre tails 4 females 1 male they all got along for awhile but then I made the mistake of adding a Bi colour anthias, never get this one. It killed the male and now only 3 females left.

Moral to the story if you want to add anthias buy a Randall's male and only keep that one. You will need to feed a lot to satisfy their high metabolism.

To give you an idea I feed 3-5 times a day and they don't stop eating but unlike my other fish that need the Jenny Craig program these fish are lean.

Because in the reefs these fish get an abundant supply of food all day, unfortunately we cannot replicate that. Unless you have a large enough system to sustain a school of them just enjoy one and save your money. There are a few people that have been able to keep 5-6 dispars but they feed a lot.

[FWC]

Anthias are doable in a 54 gallon. Heck, I've had a successful dispar group in a 33 gallon.

They key to to pick the right species and make sure you do the little extra needed to keep them happy.

Larger, more aggressive anthias (such as Square Spots, Bimacs, bicolors, red stripes, etc...) should be avoided (I have a trio of bimacs in a 55 QT tank and it is tight in there for them).

On the other hand, smaller, more peaceful species (Ingnitus, Dispar, Lori's, Flavoguttatus, even Lyretails) should be fine in a small group as long as you ensure they are getting enough food, and are actually eating it.

Another good option is Fathead Anthias. They stay fairly small, aren't super active swimmers like other anthias and like living alone.