Anthias for 4.99?!

red13miller · #1 10/13/2007, 11:55 PM

I went to my lfs today and i was looking at fish and my girl friend spotted a pink fish and she wanted me to get it.... it was labeled as a neon damsel and i knew this wasnt even close to right.... it was some type of anthias....but when i asked the people that worked there they insisted it was a neon damsel and it costed 4.99.... so i couldnt pass up the deal.... so has any one else had things like this happen to them at lfs???

Reefynewby · #2 10/14/2007, 12:03 AM

sure, happens often. They had tube anemones labeld as LTA
chromis label as assorted damsel for $2(ok that's not that bad, they are related)
ocellaris listed as true percula.
camel-peppermint and vice versa
cinnamon as tomato
etc.

toonces · #3 10/14/2007, 11:26 AM

I need a pic.

It would be easy to mistake a damsel for an anthias and vice versa for the casual observer.

Not saying you did it, but I'd like to see.

dvmsn · #4 10/14/2007, 04:02 PM

I disagree, it is not easy to confuse a damsel for an anthias

red13miller · #5 10/14/2007, 06:19 PM

yes so i looked up anthias and its for sure an anthias.... but can i keep this guy in a 28 gallon tank?

dvmsn · #6 10/14/2007, 06:51 PM

It should be ok.

sunfish11 · #7 10/15/2007, 12:02 AM

Anthias are not usually ok in a 28 gal. What type is it?

happyface888 · #8 10/15/2007, 12:47 AM

I've heard of blennys being sold as gobbies

BangkokMatt · #9 10/15/2007, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sunfish11
Anthias are not usually ok in a 28 gal. What type is it?

Agreed. 28g is WAY too small.

dvmsn · #10 10/15/2007, 08:30 AM

28 is to small for a single three inch anthias? I don't think so. If it is an olive anthias or one of huge ones, yes. There are only a few regularly imported anthias that live for any period of time. Bartlett's, Dispars, Lyretails, Evensi, and tiger queen anthias. All of those are completely appropriate when kept singly in a 28 gal.

BangkokMatt · #11 10/15/2007, 08:37 AM

I disagree. Anthias are a very active fish. They enjoy moving widely through currents and thrusting long lengths. I am not suggesting that you would not be able to keep them alive in a 28, just that is inappropriate for there needs.
It has nothing to do with the size of them.

Wrench · #12 10/15/2007, 08:45 AM

It will survive but it wont be happy. Find yourself a video of Anthias in their natural environment and hopefully you'll see why it's unethical to keep one in a 28g tank. Not to mention they do better in groups.

sunfish11 · #13 10/15/2007, 09:48 AM

It might not survive. It may slowly stress itself to death.

darkcirca · #14 10/15/2007, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wrench
It will survive but it wont be happy. Find yourself a video of Anthias in their natural environment and hopefully you'll see why it's unethical to keep one in a 28g tank. Not to mention they do better in groups.

I do agree. I have one male lyretail (the 2 females didn't make it, they had issues to begin with). He's in my 90 gallon and out swims my Tomini Tang any day. I'd get him some mates, but no one carries them in the area and I don't like dealing with ordering while in college (not always home for delivery). I have to say, they are extremely active fish.

dvmsn · #15 10/15/2007, 10:55 AM

I am sorry, we have to agree to disagree, but a single Bartletts or Dispar, in a relatively calm 28 tank with no overly aggressive fish (damsels, dottybacks, etc.) IMHO will not stress itself out for lack of space alone. Remember, we have no idea what species it is vast majority of anthias species stress themselves to death in any tank, regardless of size.

dvmsn · #16 10/15/2007, 11:07 AM

I will concede that a lyretail is not the best choice

red13miller · #17 10/15/2007, 11:29 AM

My anthias is a dispar.... its the only fish in the tank... so my question is now what should i do with it?

SDguy · #18 10/15/2007, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by red13miller
My anthias is a dispar.... its the only fish in the tank... so my question is now what should i do with it?

Try feeding it tiny meaty foods, preferably frozen. Get a cleaner shrimp too. Newly imported anthias love getting cleaned, and the shrimp will eat any food the anthias does not.

SDguy · #19 10/15/2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wrench
It will survive but it wont be happy. Find yourself a video of Anthias in their natural environment and hopefully you'll see why it's unethical to keep one in a 28g tank. Not to mention they do better in groups.

Hmmm, I don't think comparing a school of hundreds of anthias on a reef to any home aquarium is practical here. And most of the hardier, more commenly offered species do just fine alone. In fact, their complicated social structures/interactions often make keeping multiples *more* difficult.

red13miller · #20 10/15/2007, 11:47 AM

So should i keep this guy in the 28 gallon tank then.... if you guys think i can i will leave it by itself with a cleaner shrimp

dadonoflaw · #21 10/15/2007, 12:20 PM

darkcirca ygpm about lfs in va that sells anthias.

SDguy · #22 10/15/2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by red13miller
So should i keep this guy in the 28 gallon tank then.... if you guys think i can i will leave it by itself with a cleaner shrimp

Dispar are not the hardiest of anthias to begin with, so if you have the opportunity to find a larger, more stable home with a more experienced reefer, by all means, do so.

red13miller · #23 10/15/2007, 12:57 PM

alright ill see what happens.... i might take him back for store credit

CarlC · #24 10/15/2007, 03:47 PM

Dispar are one species that is not a good canidate for such a small tank. This guys are super active and need lots of room to swim in a oxygen rich strong current.

Like Peter said a single will be more than fine. This species along with Bartletts has a really difficult social structure to understand. In my opinion this is a trait common to most of the shallow water species. A nice harem can turn all male in a very short time. The deeper water species are less prone to change at the drop of a dime.

Carl