How many people on here have and do keep anthias alive?

Canuckgod420 · #1 01-07-2009, 10:41 PM

i have a male lyretail thats been with us for 3.5 years now......loves to eat thats for sure...lol

tang daddy · #2 01-07-2009, 10:53 PM

reefy I know bartletts are suppose to be the hardiest of the species but also alittle more pricey.

noirsphynx · #3 01-07-2009, 10:59 PM

I had a Sunburst but it recently passed away after someone ripped out one of his pelvic fins other than that he ate great. I'm thinking my kole tang may be the culprit behind it. These guys need to be kept with the absolute most peaceful fish there are. If I could catch my Tang & 6 line wrasse I'd probably get another.

MikeP · #4 01-07-2009, 11:09 PM

I've had a squarespot for almost a year. He has always ate well and is quite active (a bit of a bully but not too bad). He eat's pellets, mysis, and brine.

michika · #5 01-07-2009, 11:26 PM

When I looked at getting some P. tuka I read that they all should be treated for internal parasites.

EmilyB · #6 01-07-2009, 11:35 PM

My bartletts seemed pretty healthy, I also fed a variety including homemade. They were pigs.

They were however the only fish to die when a red cucumber died in a power head.

justinl · #7 01-07-2009, 11:42 PM

By all accounts that I have read, lyretails (P. squamipinnis) are by far the hardiest. technically they aren't really anthias because they are genus Pseudanthias, but most people call them anthias anyways. I have a single female that has recovered from a pretty severe case of popeye and some aggression from a blue damsel if it means anything; only had her a few months now.

random tips: feed often in smaller quantities. NLS pellet is perfect but definitely supplement with mysis and cyclopeeze. variety is key (good rule for any fish). make sure YOU see them eat in the store or wherever you buy from. word of mouth means nothing. peaceful tankmates only; to a degree, lyretails can hold their own usually though.

wickedfrags · #8 01-08-2009, 01:28 AM

A beautiful fish, but generally speaking they should be left in the ocean. Squampini are your best bet, and Dispar can also do well long-term. Most experienced hobbists have given up on the species do their cost and poor rate of survival.

Purple Queen/Tuka are generally considered the most difficult to keep (sorry michika!).

Quote:

Originally Posted by michika

When I looked at getting some P. tuka I read that they all should be treated for internal parasites.

naesco · #9 01-08-2009, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedfrags.com

A beautiful fish, but generally speaking they should be left in the ocean. Squampini are your best bet, and Dispar can also do well long-term. Most experienced hobbists have given up on the species do their cost and poor rate of survival.

Purple Queen/Tuka are generally considered the most difficult to keep (sorry michika!).

Tried several times and several species. They did well for a while and than started just dropping off one by one.\

Would never try them again.

Thanks all for being honest. Too many times we just hear from the one or two lucky ones keeping these difficult to keep fish leaving the impression that they are easy to keep when they are not.

michika · #10 01-08-2009, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedfrags.com

A beautiful fish, but generally speaking they should be left in the ocean. Squampini are your best bet, and Dispar can also do well long-term. Most experienced hobbists have given up on the species do their cost and poor rate of survival.

Purple Queen/Tuka are generally considered the most difficult to keep (sorry michika!).

I came to a similar conclusion, and thus, my tank was not ever populated by the beautiful 30+ harem I saw. Still they are beautiful, but they aren't intended for my system(s).