Anthias People! Show them off here!

[CincyReefer07]

Trying to decide on a group of 7 to 9 Anthias for my 310 gallon mixed reef. Cannot for the life of me decide what I want to go with. Biggest thing to me is I’m hoping to avoid non-saltwater people coming over and looking at my tank and saying look at those beautiful goldfish LOL. Currently have a pair of clowns, 5 bangaii, pair of yellow tangs, Gem tang, black cap basslet, and a zebra moray and a magnificent foxface(finishing QT).

So here is a chance to show off your favorite Anthias… add in a little info on yours, what kind, how long you’ve had them, how many do you have in your tank, what size tank they are in, anything that could be of help to someone like me trying to decide on a small group of anthias for their mixed reef.

 

[MERKEY]

We have 5 in a 8' x 4' lagoon.

Lyrtail

We chose 5 because we heard stories about 7 or 9 having 2 of the females go male then the males fight and some die off.

Really don't know if there is much science to that but maybe 4 females is easier for 1 male to keep wrangled.

We also have a borbounious

They are hard to get pics of but here is our male in transition.

 

[CincyReefer07]

We have 5 in a 8' x 4' lagoon.

Lyrtail

We chose 5 because we heard stories about 7 or 9 having 2 of the females go male then the males fight and some die off.

Really don't know if there is much science to that but maybe 4 females is easier for 1 male to keep wrangled.

We also have a borbounious

They are hard to get pics of but here is our male in transition.

View attachment 3062420

Interesting… I had never heard or read that before about the 5 vs 7 or 9 before. But I could see where that could possibly make sense

 

[Tcook]

You could go with a mix. I had 5 lyretail invwith a bimac. Lost them to flukes snd replacing eith squareblock and bimac.

 

[Tcook]

Pictilis are also colorful

 

[CincyReefer07]

Pictilis are also colorful

View attachment 3062517View attachment 3062516

Definitely love the pictilis, but not so much the price point at what looks to be $220-300 a piece. If I could swing that I’d definitely love a group of those though, they’re beautiful. My price point for a group of 7-9 is in the neighborhood of maxing out in the low 100s range for each.
The Bimac is one I’ve considered.

 

[Sink_or_Swim]

My favorite are Evansi. I had 4 but they wouldn't eat and my yellow tang bullied them to death within a week. Not sure if I'll attempt anthias again. Good luck with whatever you decide on!

 

[Tcook]

Definitely love the pictilis, but not so much the price point at what looks to be $220-300 a piece. If I could swing that I’d definitely love a group of those though, they’re beautiful. My price point for a group of 7-9 is in the neighborhood of maxing out in the low 100s range for each.
The Bimac is one I’ve considered.

Love the bimacs. I have 2 in observation.

 

[1112-425XL]

Male Lyertail

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

You could go with a mix. I had 5 lyretail invwith a bimac. Lost them to flukes snd replacing eith squareblock and bimac.
View attachment 3062513View attachment 3062514

LOVE the Bimac!

Heres mine, started as 5 lyretail females and now 4 females and a male.

 

[MrGisonni]

Sunburst Anthias

He eats flakes and PE mysis. Just started moving out and about in front of the scape after 2 months tucked in a cave.

 

[Tcook]

Sunburst Anthias
View attachment 3167823
He eats flakes and PE mysis. Just started moving out and about in front of the scape after 2 months tucked in a cave.

Beautiful. Very healthy looking.

 

[Goonter]

Here are mine. A sunburst and 2 Dispar.

 

[Flatearth]

I love my Lyretail Anthias! What is the plural form of Anthias btw or is it the same?

Very hardy fish, they did fine with my overly aggressive puffer and are also doing well with my more peaceful set-up! They were among my first saltwater fish, and have survived many mistakes the worst of all was a heater making the water really hot.


My dirty glass and cheap camera do not do this fish justice! The male has so many different shades of red/orange/purple on him he is really incredible. I have 3 females and 1 male. They all arrived beaten up, one female almost had no fins, but they all came around! The male's colors have gotten a lot brighter, and he is growing a lyre with yellow tips it looks awesome!


I want to add some other anthias, but I haven't really settled on a species yet.

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

Started with 7 lyre tails. In 3 days it went down to 4. They lock lips and battle brutally. I saw 2 of them rip the face off while fighting. After that they are all pure community with chromes clowns and small wrasses no issues at all