Bartlett anthias #'s

[HighlandReef]

Hi all, wanted to pick everyone brain on housing bartletts in a 210, I was going to get a trio of them but was told that if I get 3 they will most likely die, they said that since they are a schooling fish I should get at least 8?
Now I have to be honest and say my first thoughts were to kick the sales guy square in the nuts lol! But figured it wouldn't be the Christian thing to do so I just said thanks and posted here. Lol!
Let me know what you guys think?

 

[Captain Nemo]

Ihaveheard that the more the better with these but 8?? I dont know about that.........

 

[evolved]

3 didn't work out well for me. I'll soon be down to 1. 5' 120gal tank.

Started with 3 back in May. I feed 3 times/day. It's purely a function of them all turning male and the alpha picking the other two off.

 

[SDguy]

They are very hardy, and a trio would be fine. They don't group much in the aquarium, IME, and may eventually all turn male. Also IME I've never had the males kill each other...they just won't hang out with each other.

 

[maharsreef]

They all turn male, then kick each other in the teeth until only one is left. I've tried numerous times with these guys, always the same outcome, which is a shame cause they are one of my favs.

 

[evolved]

Mine didn't hang out with each other, and for the most part each took a third of the tank.

However, come feeding time, the alpha male would chase the same male away. A week or two of this, and the other male goes into hiding.

Now with one male gone, the alpha has turned his attention to the other remaining male.