Anthias

[TrevNW]

Now that I've lost my Orchid Dottyback, can I have 1-3 anthias in my 250ltr tank? Was thinking of a smaller species like Pseudanthias parvirostris.

[Miggsy]

3 would be a minimum IMO.

The diamond head anthias ( the one you mention ) .. if you want the pretty colours will all have to be males .. the females are a dull brown and for that reason are rarely imported.

They can be kept as a male only shoal but I think you may see bullying problems quite quickly with such a small shoal.

[Homer]

don't go for the diamond heads there brutal with each other , we had 8 an are now down to 3 because of bullying

[AJLittle]

I've got 4 Bartletts (I thinks there name) and they're beautiful and have no problems what so ever! looking at getting 5-6 more at somepoint :-)

[LTD]

Why not just get a small copperband ?

[TrevNW]

Why not just get a small copperband ?

eh? A copperband in a 250ltr tank? I thought they grew to 8" and needed huge tanks

[TrevNW]

I've got an amazing list of anthias currently in stock at various sponsors. What are people's experiences of the following (I've added the size as it's the smaller ones I'm interested in):

kashiwa bleeding heart anthias (Pseudanthias kashiwae) 6"
scribbled anthias, (Pseudanthias bimaculatus) 5"
longfin anthias (Pseudanthias ventralis) 3"
yellow backs, (Microlabrichthys evansi) 4"
lyretail (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) 5"

Of these, it's the longfin and yellow backs I'm most interested in. Looking to pick one up tomorrow

Why not just get a small copperband ?

Could you really keep a copperband in a 250ltr tank? I thought they grew to 8" and needed huge tanks

[Miggsy]

Trev .. seriously please don't buy just one anthias.

It is a shoaling fish and should be kept as so.

[TrevNW]

Trev .. seriously please don't buy just one anthias.

It is a shoaling fish and should be kept as so.

Deffo miggsy - sorry it sounded like that - it would break my heart to see one on it's own. If I can get 3-5 that's what I'd be after (if that's OK). Or would that be pushing it in a 250 ltr tank?

[Miggsy]

In 250ltrs I really think you'd be pushing it Trev.

My own opinion would be wanting to see 5 of them and it's prob a bit too much for your reef.

[The Heathen]

Agree with Miggs Trev, the Anthias will struggle in a shoal of at least 5 in 250 litres... have you thought about other shoaling fish like Threadfin Cardinalfish



they will eventually come out during the day once they are accustomed to the lighting...

[TrevNW]

In 250ltrs I really think you'd be pushing it Trev.

My own opinion would be wanting to see 5 of them and it's prob a bit too much for your reef.

OK - I'll scrap the idea and look at getting a pair of Orchid Dottybacks.

Any thoughts on a Copperband?

[TrevNW]

have you thought about other shoaling fish like Threadfin Cardinalfish

hmmm......the word "Tetra" comes to mind. A bit dull for me.

[TrevNW]

A complete change of direction, and I'm now looking to get:

an orchid dottyback (or pair)
and
either a flasher wrasse (McCoskers if I see one) or a manderin (if I see a nice fat one)

going shopping tomorrow and will let you know what I get

[little urchin]

pair of orchids,,,,pair of mandarins ....was my dream