Which Anthias?

[danenelsen]

Hello Everyone,

I really like Anthias. I am currently working on my stocking list and was wondering which type of Anthias you would recommend? I have a 55 gallon with a 10 gallon sump. Current stocking list is:

2 Clownfish (already have)
2 Bangaii Cardnalfish
1 Yellow Tang
1 Royal Gramma
1 Pearlscale Butterflyfish
1 Lubbock's Wrasse
1 Fire Fish
1 Pygmy Angelfish
1 Splendid Pintail Fairy Wrasse

Which Anthias would work best for me? I don't care if it is reef safe or not.

 

[Cthulukelele]

I really wouldn't add another fish to that 55 gallon much less a small group of anthias. 5 of those 11 fish would really prefer a tank bigger than a 55 gallon. 11 fish most of them being large is a pretty massive bioload in 65 total gallons (minus rock space).

My total water volume is about 190 gallons with a 15% of water volume dedicated refugium, almost 200 pounds of live rock, and an oversized skimmer. Even then I'm tentative with my eventual 16 fish in the tank (and they're on average smaller than the fish you are planning to stock)

 

[Cthulukelele]

If I had to answer gun to my head though I'd say dispar anthias, but they'd also appreciate a bigger tank and eat a lot

 

[danenelsen]

I really wouldn't add another fish to that 55 gallon much less a small group of anthias. 5 of those 11 fish would really prefer a tank bigger than a 55 gallon. 11 fish most of them being large is a pretty massive bioload in 65 total gallons (minus rock space).

My total water volume is about 190 gallons with a 15% of water volume dedicated refugium, almost 200 pounds of live rock, and an oversized skimmer. Even then I'm tentative with my eventual 16 fish in the tank (and they're on average smaller than the fish you are planning to stock)

Which 5? I was also just planning to get a single female. How many total fish would you recommend?

 

[Cthulukelele]

Which 5? I was also just planning to get a single female. How many total fish would you recommend?

The 2 that ABSOLUTELY should have more room are the yellow tang and pearlscale butterfly. Fairy wrasse and pygmy angels are active swimmers and also would rather a tank bigger than 55, but for the 2 fairy wrasse and the pygmy angel you could PROBABLY get by in a 55 just know you're likely to see more aggression than those fish are generally known for.

It's not necessarily about number of fish as it is the size of those fish. Arguably 1 yellow tang, 1 pearlscale butterfly, and 1 pygmy angel at full size would produce enough waste to consider a tank of that size full.

 

[danenelsen]

The 2 that ABSOLUTELY should have more room are the yellow tang and pearlscale butterfly. Fairy wrasse and pygmy angels are active swimmers and also would rather a tank bigger than 55, but for the 2 fairy wrasse and the pygmy angel you could PROBABLY get by in a 55 just know you're likely to see more aggression than those fish are generally known for.

It's not necessarily about number of fish as it is the size of those fish. Arguably 1 yellow tang, 1 pearlscale butterfly, and 1 pygmy angel at full size would produce enough waste to consider a tank of that size full.

Ok, I'll think about it some more. How many inches then? I've heard 5ish gallons for every inch, is this accurate?

 

[Cthulukelele]

Ok, I'll think about it some more. How many inches then? I've heard 5ish gallons for every inch, is this accurate?

Those rules of thumb aren't as useful in saltwater fish keeping. Different species of saltwater fish have vastly different niches and eating habits and produce wildly variable amounts of waste. What filtration equipment are you planning to run

 

[Cthulukelele]

An example of what I mean is that even though that pygmy angel tops out MAX at 3 inches and usually closer to 2 1/2 it has a bioload that's probably comparable to an almost 6 inch pearlscale butterfly as it east TONS and is constantly moving

 

[demonclownfish]

purple queen have always been a fav of mine

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello Everyone,

I really like Anthias. I am currently working on my stocking list and was wondering which type of Anthias you would recommend? I have a 55 gallon with a 10 gallon sump. Current stocking list is:

2 Clownfish (already have)
2 Bangaii Cardnalfish
1 Yellow Tang
1 Royal Gramma
1 Pearlscale Butterflyfish
1 Lubbock's Wrasse
1 Fire Fish
1 Pygmy Angelfish
1 Splendid Pintail Fairy Wrasse

Which Anthias would work best for me? I don't care if it is reef safe or not.

Lyretail or queen

 

[danenelsen]

Ok, will get rid of the Pygmy.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Lyretail or queen

Would you recommend a lyretail in a 55 gallon tank given how active they are?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Would you recommend a lyretail in a 55 gallon tank given how active they are?

Tes especially that they get up to 3" average

 

[ElementReefer]

I have a Foxface and a Melanarus Wrasse in a 55 and they are perfectly happy. However I do agree that your tank is full. A 55 offers 4 feet of swimming length, so I think it gets a pass from the tang police, but it’s skinny AF and lacks enough territory to offer an appropriately sized aqua scape for a big group of reef dwelling fish.

 

[danenelsen]

I have a Foxface and a Melanarus Wrasse in a 55 and they are perfectly happy. However I do agree that your tank is full. A 55 offers 4 feet of swimming length, so I think it gets a pass from the tang police, but it’s skinny AF and lacks enough territory to offer an appropriately sized aqua scape for a big group of reef dwelling fish.

Do you think my tank would be overstocked or just full?

 

[ElementReefer]

Every tank is different. Since you already have two fish who will get to at least 6” fully grown, you’re already full in my book and more would be overstocked.

My opinion on the 55 is you can have a larger fish, or you can have a lot of fish, but you can’t have both. It’s too thin.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Every tank is different. Since you already have two fish who will get to at least 6” fully grown, you’re already full in my book and more would be overstocked.

My opinion on the 55 is you can have a larger fish, or you can have a lot of fish, but you can’t have both. It’s too thin.

This I can agree with, though I really feel a 55 gallon tank isn't a great home for a fully grown adult zebrasoma tang even if it's the only fish in there

 

[danenelsen]

Every tank is different. Since you already have two fish who will get to at least 6” fully grown, you’re already full in my book and more would be overstocked.

My opinion on the 55 is you can have a larger fish, or you can have a lot of fish, but you can’t have both. It’s too thin.

That is very helpfull! How many fish could I get if I went with the 'lot of fish option?

 

[Tcook]

Why not look for a used 125 gal tank? You have a few aggressive fish in the 55. Not the best situation for an anthias. Plus your feedings are going to go up with anthias

 

[areefer01]

Ok, will get rid of the Pygmy.

Out of curiosity why get rid of an existing fish only to replace it? Personally speaking I'd let the stocking list run its course since it is already in play. No need to stress the display or hobbyist out trying to catch and re-home one.

Sometimes we the hobbyist have to quell our "but I really like" urges. I have been there done that. But sometimes doing what Frankie says and Relax is the best course of action. Enjoy what you have.