Mixing anthias.

[hamiltonguy]

How smart would it be to mix different anthias. Say 2 bartletts (Pseudanthias bartlettorum), 2 dispars (Pseudanthias dispar), 2 hutchii (Pseudanthias huchtii , 1 pink square anthias (Pseudoanthias pleurotaenia) in a 75g?

I know I'm asking a lot of questions on this forum but I want AS MUCH info as I can get before I start setting up my 75g in a couple months.:bum:

Thanks in advance guys :)

[cnaegler]

Keeping tabs on the answer. I'd like to know as well.

[jer77]

Will these all be going into the 75? If so I doubt they will all get along. The more bold species will dominate the others. Plus that many of the same type of fish this size in a 75 anyways will cause problems for many reasons like competition, etc.

[hamiltonguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14613194#post14613194 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jer77
Will these all be going into the 75? If so I doubt they will all get along. The more bold species will dominate the others. Plus that many of the same type of fish this size in a 75 anyways will cause problems for many reasons like competition, etc.

Yeah I was hoping all in a 75. You said the bolder will dominate. Will it be sort of like a clownfish female-male domination or will they continuously fight to kill?

Also, would it work if I cut it down to 1 of each instead of two? Or if I get 4-6 of just one species?

[hamiltonguy]

Anyone with anthias experience?

[hamiltonguy]

Final bump.

I really don't want to learn the hard way and haven't had time to really surf the net (yet) for info.

[Skipper]

Here's where the Anthias experts hang out...

[moved]

[hamiltonguy]

Thanks Skipper :).

[SDguy]

I'd pass on the huchtii and pleurotaenia in a 75g, too big.

I see no problem mixing dispar and bartlett.

hth

[mflamb]

I have 3 Bartlett's and 9 Ignitus Anthias, but they are in a 300.

[hamiltonguy]

Alrighty will keep in mind.
Ok then taking out the hutchii and pleurotaenia, would 2 bartletts, 2 dispar, and 2 ignitus work in a 75?

Sorry for the repeated quesitons I'm just trying to work out my livestock in advance so I don't run into any problems later on.

Thanks.

[sunfish11]

What else are you putting in besides the anthias?

Lisa

[hamiltonguy]

The anthias would probably be the biggest fish in the tank except for a yellow tang which will be added last. Other then that, 2 false percs, twin spot goby, purple firefish (1 or 2 haven`t decided), bellus angel. Possibly a flasher wrasse. Some inverts, a couple cleaner shrimp, maybe a coral banded shrimp as well. The usual CUC. MAYBE a copper banded butterfly if I haven`t maxed my bioload. I`d like a mix of anthias to be the main attraction.

[jer77]

I like your idea of mixing anthias and trying to find how to suit their needs. I have seen many tanks where the anthias are bullied by more dominant fish. But I also like most of your stocking list, which seems like it should make for a peaceful environment. All except for the tang which should go last. So your set on a yellow tang? A kole or scopas might be better. And also some of the fish you have listed I have tried many times with some success, but definitely have experienced difficulties with acclimating and feeding them, especially copperband or most butterflies. So I don't think your biggest issue is if they will all get along in a 75, but finding healthy ones and properly acclimating and getting them to eat. The twin spot goby I have had little success with IME, there are others that may be better.

[hamiltonguy]

Well I`m sort of deciding between the yellow and the kole`s tang. I mainly want the yellow one because, and excuse me for being childish, but the whole "my bubbles!" guy in finding nemo. Also, I think the yellow color would look nice against all the pink/orange from the anthias. Oh and the tang would definitely be the last guy added to the tank.

As for the twinspot goby, I have one in my 20g right now. Awesome little guy, already dug a hole under one of my rocks and is constantly grazing on the sand.

Of course I`ll quarantine the fish before I put them in the display and make sure they are eating and healthy. I might actually switch out the copperband for the reef safe heniochus butterfly (diphreutes).

I`m trying to plan as much as I can before I even start my upgrade to the 75g so I don`t end up tearing the tank apart trying to get fish out that don`t work with the rest of the livestock.

[WLachnit]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14624727#post14624727 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
I have 3 Bartlett's and 9 Ignitus Anthias, but they are in a 300.

mflamb,
What is the male/female ratio of your Anthias?

[MattL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14626663#post14626663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hamiltonguy
The anthias would probably be the biggest fish in the tank except for a yellow tang which will be added last. Other then that, 2 false percs, twin spot goby, purple firefish (1 or 2 haven`t decided), bellus angel. Possibly a flasher wrasse. Some inverts,... MAYBE a copper banded butterfly if I haven`t maxed my bioload. I`d like a mix of anthias to be the main attraction. Even taking the Anthia advice above, that sounds like way too many fish for such a small tank.

The yellow tang should be fine for a while in a 75 if you get him small. It is possible he may one day need a bigger home. I don't recommend tangs in 75s for this reason. Can you get a bigger tank? You certainly could keep all those fish with a larger tank.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14625213#post14625213 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hamiltonguy
Alrighty will keep in mind.
Ok then taking out the hutchii and pleurotaenia, would 2 bartletts, 2 dispar, and 2 ignitus work in a 75?
Thanks. I don't know. I've heard that any more than one batlett really requires a large tank. Not that the fish grow, but that they need a lot of swimming room. I have Lyretail Anthias (5), and they take up all of my 125.

Also, is two the optimal number for those fish? Would they work better either single or in groups of 3/4 or more?

Matt:cool:

[Jacob D]

Anyone have Lyretail mixed with Bartletts?

[hamiltonguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14630963#post14630963 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MattL
Even taking the Anthia advice above, that sounds like way too many fish for such a small tank.

The yellow tang should be fine for a while in a 75 if you get him small. It is possible he may one day need a bigger home. I don't recommend tangs in 75s for this reason. Can you get a bigger tank? You certainly could keep all those fish with a larger tank.
I don't know. I've heard that any more than one batlett really requires a large tank. Not that the fish grow, but that they need a lot of swimming room. I have Lyretail Anthias (5), and they take up all of my 125.

Also, is two the optimal number for those fish? Would they work better either single or in groups of 3/4 or more?

Matt:cool:

Yeah of course they would work either single or in bigger groups but I was just trying to have as much varying color as possible while avoiding conflicts in the tank. As for a bigger tank, I've still been deciding between a 75 and a 90 but the reason I've been asking a bout a 75 is because most likely I will end up getting a 75.

Seeing as how it's taking a lot "tweaking" to get the proper fish stock in a 75 I'm now leaning more towards a 90. I'm set on a group of anthias and a yellow tang for sure and was hoping to get that done WITHOUT any problems but it seems like I'll either have to cut back on the amount of fish or get a bigger tank and I REALLY don't want to cut back on the fish :).

That being said, suppose I was setting up a 90g, would my anthias plan work out better? How many more would I be able to keep?

Again, I apologize for all the questions on the same fish, I'm a plan-ahead cautions sort of guy.

[mflamb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14628309#post14628309 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WLachnit
mflamb,
What is the male/female ratio of your Anthias? 1 male and 2 female Bartletts.
2 male and 7 female Ignitus.

[mflamb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14626663#post14626663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hamiltonguy
The anthias would probably be the biggest fish in the tank except for a yellow tang which will be added last. Other then that, 2 false percs, twin spot goby, purple firefish (1 or 2 haven`t decided), bellus angel. Possibly a flasher wrasse. Some inverts, a couple cleaner shrimp, maybe a coral banded shrimp as well. The usual CUC. MAYBE a copper banded butterfly if I haven`t maxed my bioload. I`d like a mix of anthias to be the main attraction. In my opinion...that's way too many fish for a 75. And definitely skip the Copperband Butterfly.

[cnaegler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14632069#post14632069 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
In my opinion...that's way too many fish for a 75. And definitely skip the Copperband Butterfly.



+1 too many fish

[hamiltonguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14632289#post14632289 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cnaegler
+1 too many fish

Hmm, well in that case would the fish stock work in a 90g?

And just out of curiousity, is it too much fish in the sense that there would be too much bioload or in the sense that there would be competition and aggression?

[SkyPapa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14631897#post14631897 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jacob D
Anyone have Lyretail mixed with Bartletts?

I have 3 Lyretails and 2 Bartletts in a 120.

The dominant lyretail , who has a whip but is still mostly female,will chase all the other anthia some but no harm done.
It did kill a male of the same size i tried to introduce.

The lyres sleep/hide in the rocks while the 2 female bartletts wedge themselves together in between the front glass and the starboard.
They will also all sort of shoal together sometimes.

I've had the 1 of the lyres for a year and the others for 6 months.
The Bartletts are 6 months in my tank also.

[MattL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14631973#post14631973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hamiltonguy
...Seeing as how it's taking a lot "tweaking" to get the proper fish stock in a 75 I'm now leaning more towards a 90.... it seems like I'll either have to cut back on the amount of fish or get a bigger tank and I REALLY don't want to cut back on the fish :).Well, you answered your own question. You need a much larger tank.

With a 6ft tank, you could probably keep to your original plan.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14631973#post14631973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hamiltonguy
...That being said, suppose I was setting up a 90g, would my anthias plan work out better?...
Probably not. A 90 isn't a whole lot bigger than a 75. If you're going to be stuck at a 4ft tank, at least do a 120, or there is a semicircle (144?) out there that is very nice as well.

I think your concept of what size tank you need is way too low.

The tank is one of the least expensive aspects of the hobby. Pay the little extra to have all the fish you want.

Matt:cool:

[hamiltonguy]

Well that concludes it, there's no way my anthias plan is going to work. I've thought alot about going way bigger but there's a couple reasons why I'm not:
1) I don't have nearly enough experience.
2) That being said, if I had a 75g crash instead of a 120g crash, it would be less .. let's say painful in my back pocket.
3) I don't mind paying extra for a larger tank but I plan on going full SPS and it's the lighting and filtration that will cost alot more in a 6ft vs a 4ft.

And lastly, being a 1st year undergrad student I don't really have a few grand floating around to spend on a fish tank. Seeing as you have a PhD Matt, I'm sure you know how I feel ;).

All that being said, I guess I'll just keep 2 or 3 dispar anthias in the 75g.

Also, I'd love to see all your anthias pictures if you guys don't mind posting


- Yaser

[Creade]

3) I don't mind paying extra for a larger tank but I plan on going full SPS and it's the lighting and filtration that will cost alot more in a 6ft vs a 4ft.

A 120 isnt necessarily 6'
Most 120s are actually 4'

If your budget is only going to allow for 4' of lighting, I would definitely go with a 120 over a 75, but thats just me.

[cnaegler]

yeah, we're not trying to squash your fish selection so much as trying to help you not make the wrong decisions and have problems later.

[hamiltonguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14635853#post14635853 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cnaegler
yeah, we're not trying to squash your fish selection so much as trying to help you not make the wrong decisions and have problems later.

Oh yeah I completely understand that, which is exactly why I asked all the questions so I don't run into problems later :D, also seeing as how some of you have more years of experience in this hobby than my age :rolleyes: , I appreciate and put into practice all the advice I'm given.

I'm assuming 120s that are 4' long would be fairly deep?

[cnaegler]

I think the standard 120 is 48"l x 24 w x 25" h but don't hold me to it.

[hamiltonguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14637630#post14637630 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cnaegler
I think the standard 120 is 48"l x 24 w x 25" h but don't hold me to it.

I just checked those measurements and it ends up being 125g but if you make the height 24" as well it's 119.69g so yeah, 120g. That being said, I'm now really thinking about the 120g. I thought it might be like 30" something deep and I don't like the look of a deep tank but this could actually works. Guess we'll wait and see when I'm done this term of uni what I end up with :D

[cnaegler]

Well, good luck. Let us know how it goes.

[Creade]

The 4'x2'x2' 120 is a great size in my opinion.

However....

The other option in 4' would be to see about the new Marineland tanks.
I believe their 4' would be 48"X36"x27"

That extra space front to back would be pretty awesome.

Unfortunately, when you start getting into 48"x 36" your likely looking at more lighting, or atleast a different configuration to cover that footprint decently.

[hamiltonguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14637953#post14637953 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cnaegler
Well, good luck. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks, as soon as I get started with the build, I'll post it on RC.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14638573#post14638573 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Creade
The 4'x2'x2' 120 is a great size in my opinion.

However....

The other option in 4' would be to see about the new Marineland tanks.
I believe their 4' would be 48"X36"x27"

That extra space front to back would be pretty awesome.

Unfortunately, when you start getting into 48"x 36" your likely looking at more lighting, or atleast a different configuration to cover that footprint decently.

Hmm, makes sense but if the corals are concentrated in the center of the tank so the fish can swim all around the live rock set up, would you still need to upgrade the lighting?

[cnaegler]

Depending on what reflectors you use. You might be able to use the large lumenarcs to cover that 36" spread. Lumenbrights are supposedly better but not sure of what sizes they offer. One day i'm upgrading to a 36" wide tank and i believe i'll use the large lumenarcs.

[Creade]

I wasnt sure what lighting you were planning, but as mentioned with the proper reflectors, and only an island of rock in the center, youd probably be alright.

[hamiltonguy]

I'm thinking of going with the Sunlight Supply T5 TEK light. I've read good review about it, seen nice colors of all types of corals including SPS so it seems like a good bet. I'd keep most of the SPS near the top anyway and some LPS middle-bottom of the tank. I've thought about MH but then I've read alot of heat issues with them as well so not so sure.

[mflamb]

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p117/mflamb/300%20build/IMG_0819.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p117/mflamb/300%20build/DSC00821.jpg

[mflamb]

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p117/mflamb/300%20build/th_MOV00792.jpg (http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p117/mflamb/300%20build/?action=view&current=MOV00792.flv)

[mflamb]

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p117/mflamb/300%20build/th_MOV00799.jpg (http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p117/mflamb/300%20build/?action=view&current=MOV00799.flv)

[mflamb]

One more...

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p117/mflamb/300%20build/th_MOV00792.jpg (http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p117/mflamb/300%20build/?action=view&current=MOV00792.flv)

[hamiltonguy]

ok seriously just wow. You stole my anthias plan :P. Well not really seeing as how you got it done first, I'd be copying you :rolleyes: . But yeah that's pretty much the combination of anthias I wanted. I noticed your unicorn tang (correct me if I'm wrong) likes to stay under that rock alot.

[mflamb]

Actually, it's a male Vlamingi, and is afraid of the camera. He is usually swimming calmly back and forth, or attacking the nori clip.

[hamiltonguy]

Ahh I see. It's nice to see larger tangs get along so well. Oh and don't mind my girly-ish remark earlier, it's just that I'm waiting for this semester to end so I can start my upgrade build and am just getting a little impatient now.

[Creade]

I have a 48" 8 x 54watt T5 Tek Light.

Ive never used it for anything but over my frag tank, but I like the light alot.

My only complaint about it, if there was one (And this could have been changed since I purchased mine, as I have one of the first ones released)
The way the lights are wired, you have 2 switches and they turn on the first 4 bulbs, and then the last 4 bulbs.

I personally would have preferred a staggered wiring, so I could split up the actinics and have them come on first and cover the entire tank, then a few hrs later have the whites come on.

Just my opinion, still a great light.