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anthias for a 75? (1 Viewer)

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Noob_dude

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so my 75 reef is hitting its 6 month birthday. Currently it is stocked with;
-2black ice clowns
-diamond goby
-purple firefish
-melanorous wrasse
-flasher wrasse
-Midas Benny


Eventually want to add
-tonomi tang
-lawnmower Benny
-maybe a mandarin
-anthias

I have been doing some research I came across 3 types that are easy to keep peaceful and can be kept in a 75 reef. Looking for input on each and if 3 or 5 is better.
Disbar
Ignitus
Resplendent

Any input from the experts would be great. Looking to have them shipped in the week after Christmas so I will be home to receive them And baby them.

Thanks!


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Dispar and Ignitus are basically the same fish. Same goes for the Resplendent and Randall's. I keep a trio of Resplendents and I rarely see them on the left half of my 145, so I imagine they would be very content in 75 gallons. If you want fish in the water column, you might be disappointed with Resplendents as they spend a lot of time perching and cruising around upper rock work. These guys are also quite small.

Ignitus and Dispar will be in the current all day like a typical anthias. They get along well with each other and will just display occasionally. These are easy to keep, but are kind of wimpy if they get stressed.

The strange practice of adding only an odd number of shoaling fish doesn't have any effect on success in my experience. These will all do fine as a pair, quartet, etc.
 
You were the expert I was looking for! The more I look online I saw Bartletts and fatheads, this are listed as semi aggressive, will they disturb my other fish?

Could I do 3 and 3 of two different kinds of anthias or does the Harlem need to be larger then 3 to spread the beating?


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Bartlett's can get pretty rough with other Bartlett's and the aggression can extend to other anthias, but it tends to be reduced. They won't cause problems with species outside the genus. The only caveat is you might have trouble adding Chromis. I've never kept Sunburst, but coralreefer has had success with one.

Adding Bartlett's or Lyretails straight away can limit your choices for other Anthias; a lot of the other species don't tolerate their boisterous nature very well, but they do pair up nicely together and it's cool to watch them scrap. They are also both very easy and can adapt to single feedings per day.

If you're still thinking of Dispar, Ignitus, or Resplendent, you won't have to worry about distributing the aggression. Pretty much the only guideline to follow with those species is to avoid doubling up on males, but there are some fun exceptions to that rule as well.

Carberryi are also a peaceful/hardy anthias if those fit your fancy.
 
I had a Sunburst. I was totally excited to have him, the fish completely sucked. They are just not a active, out in the open fish. Rarely saw, not very active, just no where near what I thought an anthias should be. Beautiful fish, just not a good personality.
 
Bartletts r the way to go. The easiest anthias to get to eat pellets. I had bartletts for a few years now and they dont bother other fish beyond themselves. Tried a trio and now im left with just a male and female. They also swim out in the open and dont hide as much. Had a group of lyretail too but they kept killing each other until i only had 2. Harder to get the lyretail to eat pellets. My advice would b to get 2 anthias only and b4 u buy them make sure they r eating. Best place to get anthias would b mntk petco. They had thiers bartletts for prob 2-3 weeks now.

On ur fish list, i would skip the mandarin and lawnmower blenny. They tend to starve and die in aquariums due to lack of food. Depending on ur system after u add the anthias and a tang u would have maxed ur fish capacity.
 
So would I be able to due 3 Bartletts and 3 Ignitus (if I add the Ignitus first) or will they get picked to death by the Bartletts. In that Case I would need to get 2 peaceful varieties or 5 of the same (Bartletts)
 
My Bartletts are much happier with my school of 6 Lyretails in the mix. It was a painful experience getting to the balance of 2 bartletts and 6 lyretials but they are all happy and healthy.

I started with 6 Bartletts a couple of years ago. Loved the school and came across a good deal on 6 more. So I added another 6 to my very happy school and that upset the apple cart. The male went rogue and in the end I ended up with 3 Bartletts as one by one the male would kill off the weakest female. It was very painful to watch. I was very upset with myself for screwing everything up. Instead of 12 I ended up spending a lot of money and killing a lot of fish to end up with 3. I kept those 3 for a couple years and as time went on I had a few fish pass away or go missing so recently I went in and took out a few fish that were getting big and aggressive and had room for a few more carefully selected tank mates.

The new additions ended up including 6 Lyretails. When the 6 went in one of the Bartletts that was struggling a bit died. The male and the dominant female joined the school of Lyretails, and they all function as one school. Kind of cool. The 2 males keep the females in line and the Lyretail male is very respectful of the Bartletts male but he is for sure the boss.

So with all that said what I have learned from my experience is it may take some trial and error but once you get a good balance leave it alone. Decide what you want long term for types/numbers and add them at the same time so they can establish pecking order. Expect some losses as getting a school of mixed Anthias to blend can be tricky. They add so much color and activity to the tank I just love them. Good luck!
 
I read somewhere where barrettes will all turn male and kill off each other until just couple are left.
 
Went to Lfs and got some input as well. He mentioned keeping a group of 5 is best and that lyertails from Africa is what he has had the most success. Looking at the trio he had in the store I liked the look and how the male is much different. Now the question (besides is there any bs in that) purchase from Lfs or live aquaria. The LfS wants twice as much as live aquaria, with shipping it's still 80 bucks more and no guarantee while live aquaria is 14 days! I would love to support the Lfs cause of all the help I have gotten but does it make sense??? Do Lfs work with you on prices?

Also is a 29 bio cube big enough to qt 5 anthias or is qt needed?


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So Any input on a harem of 5 lyertail in a 75? Is that not enough space? Also it looks like alot of people do trios, that would allow more different varieties of anthias. Did he say 5 just to sell two more? So much input hard to keep straight!!! Also the LFS wants $50 for the lyertails, I love the store but they are twice the price... Will any of the local stores match Live aquaria plus shipping or at least somewhat adjust the price?
 
A lot of people (myself included) keep a Lyretail trio with no issues. A larger group may or may not be a little easier, but I wouldn't let that determine how many you get as a trio is very doable. I'm a big fan of LiveAquaria and especially Diver's Den but if you prefer local, I think Petco Minnetonka might have better pricing.

If you go with a trio make sure that the smallest female is eating well and looks really healthy as she'll be the recipient of aggression from both the male and the dominant female.
 
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