Orange Anthias

[perky]

Hi,

I have just started with a 55g reef tank. I was looking to get an orange anthias. I was wondering if any body has had any experience with these guys.

If I get one he will be going in with a purple fire fish, cleaner shrimp, ocean tang, green shrooms, yellow finger leather, pulsing xenia, scroll coral and a toad stool coral.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks

[tahoe98]

I have neven actually kept Anthias but have been thinking of getting one. I know that they can be difficult to care for but you can do a few things to help. It seems like the biggest problem people have when they first buy Anthias is getting them to eat. Most people say that Cyclopeeze (the powdery form) and mysis shrimp works the best. They prefer lower light levels as opposed to extremely brightly lit tanks as I think lower light is closer to their natural habitat. I think the Orange Anthias is a pretty good choice as far as hardiness. Certain ones like the Purple Queen and others are not good choices. Bartlett's is also a hardy fish. Hope this helps.

[perky]

thanks alot. I will take your info into account.

[perky]

Also, what do you think about a six line wrasse. I have plenty of live rock full of copepods. Personally, I think he should be alright.

[tom obrecht]

Depends on what species you are calling an orange anthias? If you are refering to squamipinnis they are fairly hardy from my experience. In a 55 tank one fish might be ok, but these fish really like to be with others of their kind and a 55 in the long run will be too small in my opinion. I might wait till you have a larger tank or maybe pass on the anthias. They are awesome fish and add lots of color and movement to a tank, but I might hesitate to add them to your tank with only one fish in mind.

[perky]

Okay. I will take into account What about a dragonette or a six line wrasse.

[Dejan]

six lined are cool cool fish. fairly feisty though so beware your nematateleostris gobies which will proly be harrassed... also kiss goodby any shrimps etc...

[perky]

would they even attack a cleaner shrimp

[Dejan]

yeah, they dont really discriminate in my experience... mine will gleefully pull apart crustaceans twice his size

[perky]

What fish would you suggest I have that would go with a purple fire fish and a cleaner shrimp in a 55g.

[tom obrecht]

How about flasher wrasses? Lots of cool fish in this species!

[perky]

do you have a latin name that will go with these "flasher wrasses"

[Dejan]

do you want an active swimmer? if you are not fussed, i would try perhaps a blenny of some kind, or as tom suggested a flasher wrasse. also might try a clown goby? i am going through a similar selection process and atm i have got a rainfords goby and an unidentified blenny. i was also considering perhaps a pair of small cardinals (like ringtails)...

[Dejan]

flashers are paracheilinus sp. i think...

[PITSTOP]

6 line wrasse are bullies....mine is king of bullies!

[perky]

I have checked the approved species allowed into new Zealand. Unfortunately, flasher wrasses are classified as risk species. If any of you have been to New Zealand before you will know how strict customs are. What other fish/inverts could I put in there?

[perky]

Man, I envy you guys in other countries. You seem to have it all. Especially in America and Canada.