Multiple Sun Burst anthias?

[SifuMemphis]

Sunburst anthias are normally pretty peaceful. Has anyone ever kept 2-3 in a 110g tank? All would be introduced the same time.

 

[Lasse]

I have try 2 - 3 a couple of times but the longest period I managed to keep more than one was around half a year. The last teen years - a sunburst have been a must in my aquarium. If you want to try more than one start with small ones. But sunburst is not a schooling species - in nature they exist in small groups of 2 - 3 individuals but it seems difficult to make that happen in an aquarium

Sincerely Lasse

 

[SifuMemphis]

Thanks Lasse. If I go with one sunburst, is it still possible to add other anthias, or am i done? What about 1 sunburst and 1 blotchy anthias?

 

[Lasse]

Thanks Lasse. If I go with one sunburst, is it still possible to add other anthias, or am i done? What about 1 sunburst and 1 blotchy anthias?

I really do not know but the sunburst´s behavior differ rather much from other species in this complex. Therefore I do not think you will get an Intraspecific competition with other species in the "anthias" complex. However - you can´t exclude competition on an individual level with other individuals of other species. It is just a try and error situation IMO.

My latest individual - it is + 4 years old (I got it 4 years ago as very small)

Sincerely Lasse

 

[SifuMemphis]

Thanks. Beautiful fish man.

 

[redacted_]

I really do not know but the sunburst´s behavior differ rather much from other species in this complex. Therefore I do not think you will get an Intraspecific competition with other species in the "anthias" complex. However - you can´t exclude competition on an individual level with other individuals of other species. It is just a try and error situation IMO.

My latest individual - it is + 4 years old (I got it 4 years ago as very small)

Sincerely Lasse

Hi @Lasse, sorry for digging up an old thread. I am about to purchase a few of these. How certain are you that the others died from aggression? If I may ask also, how often do you feed your tank?

 

[Lasse]

Hi @Lasse, sorry for digging up an old thread. I am about to purchase a few of these. How certain are you that the others died from aggression? If I may ask also, how often do you feed your tank?

This species is a little bit different compared with other species in the genus/family. Its normally solitaire or in small groups between 3 and 5 individuals. Is not either a delicate zooplankton feeder that feeds in the open. Its more a "picker" of benthic animals even if it can feed in the open. Its a shy species. I´m rather certain that it was intraspecific aggression that cause my group of 3 individuals to end up in one. Its was not open war as in many other species - it was more a continuous bulling behaviour that slowly reduce the number.

The one in the picture died 2 years ago - and this spring I succeeded to get a new one

Sincerely Lasse

 

[redacted_]

This species is a little bit different compared with other species in the genus/family. Its normally solitaire or in small groups between 3 and 5 individuals. Is not either a delicate zooplankton feeder that feeds in the open. Its more a "picker" of benthic animals even if it can feed in the open. Its a shy species. I´m rather certain that it was intraspecific aggression that cause my group of 3 individuals to end up in one. Its was not open war as in many other species - it was more a continuous bulling behaviour that slowly reduce the number.

The one in the picture died 2 years ago - and this spring I succeeded to get a new one

Sincerely Lasse

Thank you for sharing your experience. They are gorgeous fish, definitely a bit difficult to come across though. I've seen some videos of large but very loose aggregations of this species in the wild, which was why I was curious. I am guessing it is probably just an issue of aquarium size.