Anthias outcompeting tangs for food?

[Zero_Cool]

I have 4 Lyretail Anthias (4") and have been trying to add a small selection of tangs to the tank. I feed with a Plank autofeeder 4x per day (mix of Reef Jerky, TDO S and M, Seaweed Extreme) and frozen (sellection of Rods, LRS, Marine Cuisine, Mysis, Spirulina Brine) in the evening.

I have a Sailfin that competes just fine but have tried others - Purple, Gem most recently - that don't. Tangs are slightly smaller than the anthias but I figured there shouldn't be an issue. Tangs are eatimg the nori sheets ok but need to get some protein/fats as well.

Any suggestions to help the tangs or just let them be and hope they learn to compete?

More feedings? Less? More food at once so there is more available?

Any help is appreciated. Thank you

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

My anthias are the same, they dart around the tank at feeding time, I have to feed more so that my other fishes get a chance. And they beg like crazy, and I feel like they have taught my other fish to beg too. Their feeding habits kind of disappoint me.

 

[landlubber]

While it obviously won't work with an auto-feeder you might have better luck manually getting food to everyone by mixing pellets and frozen.
The NLS pellets i feed seem to float until waterlogged whereas others sink and frozen gets carried by the return pump slowly descending.
My fish generally prefer the frozen more but it gives opportunity to skittish fish that prefer to be close to the rock with food at all strata.

 

[Cthulukelele]

I think it's unlikely your tangs would let a group of anthias starve them out. I'd monitor the tang weights, but unless the start getting thin I wouldn't worry too much. They're constantly grazing all day when you aren't watching like sea cows

 

[Zero_Cool]

I have seen the PT getting thin which is worrisome. I got them all this size so as to have the ability to add to the gang with larger ones later but may have been a mistake.

I will try adding pellets in with the frozen next.

 

[exnisstech]

Maybe add some vitamins like selcon or vitachem to the nori to help out with nutrition untill they start getting more flood. Not sure how your feeding the nori but maybe you can wrap some food inside and they get a yummy surprise :thinking-face: