Lyretail Anthias

Hi All,

I'm planning fish for my 90 gallon and really love all anthias. I've read that lyretail anthias are hardier than others and they are really pretty. But I have two questions.

One, I like the coloring of the female lyretail anthias, but read that they will change sex with regards to the other lyretails around them. If I only have one, will it stay female or change to male?

Also, I know they are schooling fish. Can I have just one, or will it be unhappy?

Thank you!!

 

Good luck with Anthias, I have never been able to have any passed 2 weeks. They need alot of room to swim which means that they need to be fed alot. When I first got my current 90g tank, I got 2 or 3 Anthias( dont remember which species) and they lasted only 2 weeks.



Luna

 

I've had my Anthias for the last several months. Very happy, friendly fish, and quite pretty. I feed every other day, sometimes every day, but never more than that and not once multiple times per day. Definitely not starving by any means - maybe eating pods or something in the tank in addition to my feedings? I only have one and she seems fine.

 

I have heard that they require multiple feedings per day and that some are really hard to keep, but I was hoping, and had read, that lyretails are easier. I'll do some more research.

ZachB, your experience gives me hope!

I'll take recommendations of any anthias that are easy to keep...I just love them!

 

Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Hawaiian Fancy Bicolor Anthias
^ That ones care level is easy

Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Bimaculatus Anthias
^ I like the coloration of the top one on that... Moderate care isnt to hard as well either. I wonder why they didnt state which is male and female :S

 

That's mine They have great personality. Mine sleeps weird too. Stands upright between rocks, or lays near the sand wedged between a rock and the overflow.

 

Those are both really pretty! The second one says it does best in a tank with its own species, so that pretty much rules it out...but the first one is really pretty, too!

Thank you!! I'll do more research on the fancy bicolor.

 

Thats an amazing fish you got there!

Oh and kcbrad, Sorry lol, I was just looking at pretty pics and the word easy and reef safe.

 

Oh, I know! I don't expect you to do extensive reading for me or anything! lol. Thanks a lot for the suggestions!!

 

Thanks

Funny thing is, the anthias is always out swimming, and is so active that it brought out the rest of my fish. The whole tank seems friendlier as a result. Comes to greet me at the front of the tank when I walk by. One of my favorite fish

I feed mysis some days, Ocean Nutrition frozen others, and pellets other days. Eats like a horse, but usually every other day. I was worried when I first got mine, hearing how they eat multiple times per day.

I really think if you get the right species it should be OK.