Anthias Compatability

[middletonmark]

IMO, the tang is too large and active to put the anthias at ease. Or so my take is.

I really think they do better in quiet tanks - don't think any gobies or dragonet would hassle them - but with a tang, dragonet, and sunburst in one tank IMO that's three special needs fish. For what my 58 seems in size - that's a tricky balancing act, one that I personally would avoid.

Just my take. I might talk a lot, but that doesn't mean I know much.

 

[kevinpo]

The tang (P. heptus) will outgrow the tank in just over a year (on average), but until then it is an OK (not great) tank mate for the Anthias. Much more of a problem might be the clownfish. You don't mention the species but they would be a concern as many species get quite aggressive as they mature.

I have my Sunburst in a 90 gal with a juvenile Vlamingi tang and a Lawnmower blenny. I am in the tank several times a day adding or removing corals. All three fish have become quite used to me and are not overly stressed. The Sunburst hangs out under an overhang most of the time but does come out to the front glass if I sit down (except when I raise the camera ).
Here are a couple of pictures I took today.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[kevinpo]

For the Sunburst anthias the critical aspect is to get it eating and established in the tank first before adding more boisterous fish. They hold their own pretty well once established.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[middletonmark]

That's good to know, Kevin.

You think they wouldn't have a problem with Royal Gramma? Given they're partly the same size, like to hang out in overhangs generally in the same areas ... and love to do that jaw-menacing thing ... think there's a worry?

 

[kevinpo]

Not if the Sunburst is introduced first or at the same time. You could be unlucky and get a Royal Gramma that is more aggressive than usual, but on average they are compatible.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[fishermann]

Be careful using interceptor with anthias and do the big water change right away, read my post under Red Bugs inevitable. John

 

[The Apprentice]

Dispar update!

Hey Nikki & Kevin I just wanted to update you guys on my latest additions Did some sps trading for these guys had to save them I hope to have them till i move to the big 300

Jeff,
1 male and 3 females would be OK in a 75gal. for a minimum tank size (IMO). I would not try to keep less than that amount as the aggression among them might not be dispersed enough.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[The Apprentice]

One more shot!

Pictures too big had to resize see below

 

[NaH2O]

Jeff - awesome!!! I added a few female Resplendant Anthias to go with my male on Tuesday. I only have one left . I know these are more difficult, but I'm not sure why they didn't make it through the night. I was able to retrieve one 1/2 eaten body for the live guarantee...but we'll see if I get any replacements. I know for sure 2 died, the 3rd is MIA, and the 4th is happily swimming with my clownfish . LOL - at least she ate some mysis yesterday.

BTW - my male resplendant anthias eats everything and anything. Flake, sinking pellets, mysis....whatever I put in he is the first one to race across the tank to get the food.

I'll get a pic of the remaining female because her coloration is awesome.

 

[CarlaW]

Jeff, those are really nice, well worth the trade I think!!!

Nikki,
If I could ask, where did you get your anthias, That's wierd that they didn't last thru the nite.

 

[NaH2O]

Live Aquaria. I've heard good things about them, and they happened to have Resplendants in. I acclimated them according to their instructions because I didn't want to void the guarantee. While acclimating there was one I wasn't so sure about....it looked really stressed/scared. I had the lights off when they were introduced, and kept them off for the day. There was only one female comfortable to come out of hiding after a few hours. The others just stayed hidden. Its not like I have a tank full of predators either. Not sure what happened....stress from shipping maybe? Can fish get scared to death?

 

[The Apprentice]

Thanks Nikki sorry to hear about your loses with the female Resplendant Anthias, I had 4 of the Disbar Anthias but one was a jumper I have screened up everything now so i hope to keep these three in the water These guys are eating just like yours except for the mysis, But they really love eating Cyclopese look like little sharks in a feeding fenzie.
And Kevin was right! they seem to swim and hang around my Leopards and everyone is getting along fine they are very shy any time you walk up to the tank boom gone under corals & rocks.

Jeff - awesome!!! I added a few female Resplendant Anthias to go with my male on Tuesday. I only have one left . I know these are more difficult, but I'm not sure why they didn't make it through the night. I was able to retrieve one 1/2 eaten body for the live guarantee...but we'll see if I get any replacements. I know for sure 2 died, the 3rd is MIA, and the 4th is happily swimming with my clownfish . LOL - at least she ate some mysis yesterday.

BTW - my male resplendant anthias eats everything and anything. Flake, sinking pellets, mysis....whatever I put in he is the first one to race across the tank to get the food.

 

[The Apprentice]

Thanks Charlie Do you have any of these in you tank? Ok i was able to shrink down these last shots For all you Detectives out there. Which is boy and girls?? can you tell???

Jeff, those are really nice, well worth the trade I think!!!

 

[NaH2O]

Jeff - from what I've learned from Kevin, the males will have an elongated dorsal spine, and be more brightly colored. While looking through Scott Michael's book, however, I noticed some female species have an elongated spine, as well. So, I'm not sure if they are sub males or maybe some species vary with gender. How are yours doing? My remaining female Resplendant (Pseudanthias pulcherimmus) was doing well, then the one day I had the egg crate off the top of the tank, she (of course) went into the overflow. I put her back in the tank, and the male was swimming the "U" shape under her, which I thought was kind-of neat. Anyway, I was gone for the day, and found her dead later, stuck to the CL intake. I didn't think she looked too good before I left....she kind of was dwindling throughout the morning. The Resplendants are listed in Scott Michael's book as delicate, so perhaps the stress of being in the overflow was too much for her. The good news is, I will be getting a couple of replacements from the vendor. If they don't fare well, then I guess my "I'll eat anything" male will remain a bachelor.

 

[NaH2O]

Oops - I had forgotten to post pics of the female.

The first pic is my male, shortly after I received him. A couple of things to notice when comparing the male and female: the females coloration is much different....she is a much lighter pink, yellow face, and her tail was all yellow. The male has an orange stripe running down its side.

The second pic was my female. Please excuse the coralline covered tank I shot this pic thru. I didn't want to scrape it off because I wasn't ready to stress the female with all that scraping action. I let the coralline grow for awhile, so that's why it is covered in dots . You can also see my Black Onyx True Percs.