Anthiea Fish Question

[Luke.]

when me and my gf go to upgrade it'll be no smaller then a 120 gallon and was wondering can these fish survive with 0 pods ? I've been down that road and won't buy those anymore .

 

[Nighthawk26]

I have 3, and they are just fine on Reef frenzie, pellets, and mysis.

 

[LIttle Reef Keeper]

Anthias feed out of the water column. They can be difficult to get to eat at first, but will usually take live brine off the bat. Best thing would be to switch them to frozen. Some even wean onto flakes. They have a very fast metabolism and should be fed multiple small feedings a day!

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[Nonuser]

I had three now one. Three for a couple of months then two for a few more the lone one for about 6 months.

I have heard tell that they don't survive in groups. But could be just me

 

[AdInfinitum]

I had three now one. Three for a couple of months then two for a few more the lone one for about 6 months.

I have heard tell that they don't survive in groups. But could be just me

Not just you...

People have this idea that they will keep a male Anthias with harem of females "JUST LIKE IN NATURE". Well in nature these fish maintain strong groups by constantly killing off the weakest members... Not a problem when the group numbers in the hundreds and the dead are constantly being replaced by breeding. In aquaria most of the common species will continue with this "weeding out" behavior. There are exceptions...I believe Bartlett's are pretty peaceful...but most Anthias are best kept as solitary males unless you want to be constantly buying females to replenish the harem...

 

[Nighthawk26]

I started with 4 about 8 months ago. They were originally all females. It was not long before 1 turned to male. Interestingly enough counter to comments above, it was the male that died. Some sort of illness however, I am certain. It did without question keep at the next in line female pretty hard. No damage or anything, but for sure was more aggressive to her. When he died, that same female transformed within a matter of weeks. It's been about 3 months or so now since then, and it's like it is stuck a bit in it's transformation somewhere in the middle. But the 3 are perfectly happy with each other. The other 2 are almost exactly the same size.

 

[AdInfinitum]

I started with 4 about 8 months ago. They were originally all females. It was not long before 1 turned to male. Interestingly enough counter to comments above, it was the male that died. Some sort of illness however, I am certain. It did without question keep at the next in line female pretty hard. No damage or anything, but for sure was more aggressive to her. When he died, that same female transformed within a matter of weeks. It's been about 3 months or so now since then, and it's like it is stuck a bit in it's transformation somewhere in the middle. But the 3 are perfectly happy with each other. The other 2 are almost exactly the same size.

Absolutely...at the other end of the spectrum the dominant female will always challenge the male in hopes of taking over or in the wild splitting off to form a new group...it works well enough short term that people think it is sustainable.

 

[Luke.]

So some are ok some arnt even if you mix 1 or 2 different species they might still kill off one another ?

 

[Nighthawk26]

I have Lyrtails for whatever it's worth.

 

[thehvacman]

Tank size might help. I have 4 lyrtails in my 8' tank and they are doing great! Eating everything that goes in the tank. The male is very aggressive with his girls, and chases them the full 8 feet. So it leads me to believe that they need a large swimming area for sure.