Success in keeping Anthias

[UtahReefer]

Always have been drawn to Lyretail Anthias. I know Anthias in general can be difficult to keep. To those of you that have had success can you share your thoughts and experiences? What have you determined is necessary to being successful when keeping these fish? Thanks...

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I've had mine for 4 months now, that is not "success", but I feel I'm on the right track, they fish are happy, healthy and out and swimming all day.

I have lyretails and personally I'll never get them again, they are very peaceful with other fish in the tank, but very nasty to each other. But I really like that orangish-redish color they have.

I feed at least twice a day, sometimes 3 times. They seem to eat almost anything, even pellets which surprised me. I guess the main thing is get small food, or else chop it really fine, I've read many times they have small throats so can only eat small pieces. Frozen cyclops and frozen baby brine shrimp are safe bets they will eat, thats how I started mine and then eventually tried other foods.

Get them in odd numbers, 3 or 5, and only one male per group of females. I don't have a male, just 3 females.

 

[UtahReefer]

I've had mine for 4 months now, that is not "success", but I feel I'm on the right track, they fish are happy, healthy and out and swimming all day.

I have lyretails and personally I'll never get them again, they are very peaceful with other fish in the tank, but very nasty to each other. But I really like that orangish-redish color they have.

I feed at least twice a day, sometimes 3 times. They seem to eat almost anything, even pellets which surprised me. I guess the main thing is get small food, or else chop it really fine, I've read many times they have small throats so can only eat small pieces. Frozen cyclops and frozen baby brine shrimp are safe bets they will eat, thats how I started mine and then eventually tried other foods.

Get them in odd numbers, 3 or 5, and only one male per group of females. I don't have a male, just 3 females.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[DaneGer21]

I’ve had mine for over a year now. Started with 3, now down to one. I only feed once or twice a day and mine has been fine.

 

[JGT]

I’ve got a dozen or so. Rather than have bunches of 1 or 2 species, I went with pairs of like 6 or 7 species. I find this results in less in fighting. They are not picky and will eat everything, including romaine and nori.I feed twice a day. I find that while they are out and about a lot, they like the coverage that a lot of rock brings. It allows them to dart into the rocks if scared and provides them safety and security. They also sleep in the rocks, often in very odd positions.

 

[IKD]

I’ve had my 4 close to three years now. I think the frequent (2-3) smaller feedings and large space (300g) has prevented the fighting for me. While I don’t know for sure, but when one turned male, he kinda kept the other 3 in check and there is really no fighting with the females at all. The male dive bombs occasionally but nothing overly aggressive.

 

[Slocke]

Two things:

1. One or a lot of the same species to stop them killing eachother.
2. Feed several times a day if you can

 

[jda]

I have never had success with large groups. They always seem to savage each other until there is a pair or trio left.

Getting them to eat pellets and using an autofeeder has gotten full-life out of them for me. Once they get established, they are not picky eaters. These fish only live a few to maybe five years, so if you can do that you are better than most.

 

[Mike1970]

auto feeder is your friend

 

[Tcook]

6 lyretail with 1 bimac for 1.5 years. Feed 3-4 times a day with tdo small and then mysis and eggs at night. With a group this size I had very little infighting.

No luck with pictilis. Ventralis didn’t make it out of QT.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Always have been drawn to Lyretail Anthias. I know Anthias in general can be difficult to keep. To those of you that have had success can you share your thoughts and experiences? What have you determined is necessary to being successful when keeping these fish? Thanks...

I've never had a problem.

Mine are about 2 years in the tank, started with 5, now at 3, but none lost due to aggression.
One managed to score a bacterial eye infection, the other was just not healthy the whole time in the tank.

They chase each other around a bit - one is obviously dominant. He and the Blue Chromis occasionally have a go at each other but they kiss and make up over dinner.

Auto feeder feeds the tank 4 times a day - pellets and nothing goes to waste.
That's pretty much 365 days a year unless I'm at home and feel like finding some frozen cubes.

 

[Koty]

You need at least 5 of them. Feed several times a day, and the best is plankton-based food such as mastick

 

[UtahReefer]

Just want to say thanks to everyone for all the replies!