New fish stocking, Anthias?

[ItouchedThebutt]

I have a 130 5’ long reef. I’m really looking for a schooling fish that is more open water. Something that’s always out. I do not want chromis, I know that. So that being said anthias come to my mind. However I’ve never kept any before so I’m unknown to the swimming behavior. I’ve been looking at a schooling fish of 5 of either bartlets or evansi anthias. I do wanna do either a single or pair of fat head sunburst anthias, not for the reason listed above but thought I’d note incase anyone has experience to why that may be a bad idea.

So I’m mainly asking for either alternatives to what I’m asking for in requirements or anyone who’s kept anthias or those kind in particulars feed back. Are those two species what I’m looking for in active schooling fish? Are there special care requirements? What to just generally expect out them to someone ignorant or first time housing them.

 

[becca10]

I have a 130 5’ long reef. I’m really looking for a schooling fish that is more open water. Something that’s always out. I do not want chromis, I know that. So that being said anthias come to my mind. However I’ve never kept any before so I’m unknown to the swimming behavior. I’ve been looking at a schooling fish of 5 of either bartlets or evansi anthias. I do wanna do either a single or pair of fat head sunburst anthias, not for the reason listed above but thought I’d note incase anyone has experience to why that may be a bad idea.

So I’m mainly asking for either alternatives to what I’m asking for in requirements or anyone who’s kept anthias or those kind in particulars feed back. Are those two species what I’m looking for in active schooling fish? Are there special care requirements? What to just generally expect out them to someone ignorant or first time housing them.

I have several types in my 210, a pair of Stocky's, lyretail - one transitioning and 2 female, 3 Hutchii, and a few Carberryi. My secret to success is getting healthy fish to start, a UV, strong filtration due to multiple feedings daily. I have an auto feeder dispensing flakes and pellets 3 x's a day, and 2 feedings of frozen. They also nibble at the Nori for my bristle tooth tang. I plan to get a few Bartlett's soon.

 

[DylanE]

I recently placed an order for some resplendent anthias. They stay smaller than most, typically eat more readily, and have less aggression issues in groups. At least according to what I’ve found. I’ve kept small groups of lyretails before and they get pretty large and the males regularly beat up on the females.

 

[ItouchedThebutt]

Would you say they fall in line with what I’m looking for as schooling, open water ish swimmers? I use gyres the alternate current on the surface of the tank so the top mayb 6 inches is really turbulent then calms down the further down into the water column.

 

[DylanE]

Would you say they fall in line with what I’m looking for as schooling, open water ish swimmers? I use gyres the alternate current on the surface of the tank so the top mayb 6 inches is really turbulent then calms down the further down into the water column.

The lyretails and dispars I’ve had definitely fall into that category. They like to hover out in the open and then dart through the turbulent flow, particularly when eating. I’m a huge fan of them as they add lots of movement. I just upgraded to a 300 and will probably have several groups eventually.

 

[ItouchedThebutt]

Well thats pleasing to hear. All i can really watch or read up on is really just generalizing all anthias into being schooling free swimming fish that need to eat alot through out the day. Some they clasify as dificult to keep fish, but dont specify why. Im assuming diet is the reason? I plan to have an autp feeder on the tank and i already feed frozen calunis and reef poppers from rods food.