Dispar or Lyretail Anthias - help us decide

[BummersReef]

Time for the next fish selection: after some research we think next fish has to be Anthias. But which ones?? We have excellent LFS where we get all our fish (Pricey but excellent health, advice and refund policies
They have two batches of Anthias that we've been looking at - Lyretail and dispar. Lyretails have been in there, eating and doing real well for at least 4 weeks and are fairly big. But hubby thinks they look a little gold fishy ?? Lol - I don't
They have had small dispars for two weeks and they are lovely
We are noobs and need good hardy choice. Tank is almost 3 months old and currently have 2 clowns and a chalk bass that are doing very well. Levels are excellent ... Only problem has been some phosphate but we think we have that under control now
So. .... We can't decide which Anthias to get! We have seen the Lyretail in LFS display tank but haven't seen dispar in a display. Is there any difference in the two in terms of hardiness and temperament??
Give me your opinions! Thanks!!

 

[zoomonster]

Probably either would do well but lyretail is probably one of the hardiest Anthias. Thing with lyretails is to me they look/do best as at least a trio with 1 male and multiple females. Very bright, active and personable and the males are more colorful. Indo red male is my favorite but I have an Indian ocean male right now. Although years ago my ex wifes grandmother commented on my lyretails and said "love your goldfish" :eek: I have some other Anthias but bimaculatus, resplendent(tierra), ventralis and lyretails have always been my favorites.

 

[BummersReef]

We will get 3 - can't afford 5!

 

[wkscott]

Lyretails are definitely the hardier of the two. For best results, Anthias should be fed several small meals per day, rather than one or two large meals. This can negatively affect your water quality especially because you will be doubling your tank's bioload all at once with the introduction of 3 more fish. Being that your tank is just three months old and your biological filtration may not yet be fully developed, this could be a bit risky. You’ll need to monitor your levels very closely, especially ammonia.

BTW, what's the size of your tank? I ask because even a trio of Anthias are fast swimmers and for their size need a relatively large swimming area.

Most Anthias species (if not all) are born female so if you get 3 of the same size, most likely one of them will turn into a male as they mature together.

 

[BummersReef]

Tank is 125 gallon with an additional 125 gallons in sump and refug.

 

[wkscott]

Big enough! Plenty of swimming room. With that much water there is very little risk of ammonia problems.

Congrats on the new tank.:D

 

[BummersReef]

Big enough! Plenty of swimming room. With that much water there is very little risk of ammonia problems.

Congrats on the new tank.:D

Thanks!
Planning on also putting in some blue green chromis ... Not yet though

 

[Drakonis]

I had 5 dispar beautiful fish. but i had issues from two yellow tale damsels harassing them and despite my efforts they stressed out and didnt make it. i loved them in my tank but personnaly that was a hard loss (expensive as well). so dont know that i personally will buy anyhias again.

 

[BummersReef]

I had 5 dispar beautiful fish. but i had issues from two yellow tale damsels harassing them and despite my efforts they stressed out and didnt make it. i loved them in my tank but personnaly that was a hard loss (expensive as well). so dont know that i personally will buy anyhias again.

The dispar are a little more expensive than the Lyretail but both are a lot so I worry. But only 2 little clowns ... Not yet territorial ... To even remotely worry about. But what happens if one dies? Do I need to add three back in?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Lyretails are hardier, but dispars aren't too delicate. Dispars are more peaceful. Lyretails will do better as a trio, dispars will do better as a group 5 or more.

If one lyretail were to die, never add just one to an established lyretail. Get as many, or more than what still exists in the group.

 

[BummersReef]

thanks all ... very helpful!
what about getting one lyretail and one dispar? they'd both become males yes?

 

[zoomonster]

I had 5 dispar beautiful fish. but i had issues from two yellow tale damsels harassing them and despite my efforts they stressed out and didnt make it. i loved them in my tank but personnaly that was a hard loss (expensive as well). so dont know that i personally will buy anyhias again.

First mistake was having damsels in the tank. Very few if any damsels have anyplace in a tank with your more expensive, delicate and timid reef fishes. Most are just very territorial and mean. If they don't outright kill a fish they will harass it to death. That's just part of reef/fish keeping 101.

 

[JayTT]

Often overlooked but also one of the easier anthias is Pseudanthias randalli or randall's anthias mine still needed multiple feedings during the day but once settled were pretty easy going,good luck with whatever you go with

 

[eatbreakfast]

thanks all ... very helpful!
what about getting one lyretail and one dispar? they'd both become males yes?

Most likely, yes, they will both become male. Though there is a possibility that with one each the squammi will dominate a solitary dispar.

First mistake was having damsels in the tank. Very few if any damsels have anyplace in a tank with your more expensive, delicate and timid reef fishes. Most are just very territorial and mean. If they don't outright kill a fish they will harass it to death. That's just part of reef/fish keeping 101.

Not all damsels are that bad. But adding them at the end of stocking instead of the beginning will get the best out of them.

Often overlooked but also one of the easier anthias is Pseudanthias randalli or randall's anthias mine still needed multiple feedings during the day but once settled were pretty easy going,good luck with whatever you go with

Agreed. Randalls are a great anthias. Right on par with dispars.

 

[BummersReef]

We got one of each!!! Gosh I love them so far - lovely fish. We named them Sam and Dean. Dispar is more timid so far but it's early of course. Now I want more!! Randall ... Oh I have seem some lovely ones online. Can you do an all Anthias tank??? Lol (hubby would say no ..... Dang)

 

[eatbreakfast]

We got one of each!!! Gosh I love them so far - lovely fish. We named them Sam and Dean. Dispar is more timid so far but it's early of course. Now I want more!! Randall ... Oh I have seem some lovely ones online. Can you do an all Anthias tank??? Lol (hubby would say no ..... Dang)

Many anthias do quite well together.... In fact, the more you have, the better they seem to do.