Should I get a school of anthia or damsels?

[calebthetanker]

Hey guys I want to get a school of lyretail anthias but people are saying they’re a handful. Should I consider a school of yellow tail or blue devil damsels instead or will that not work? Also why are the anthias a lot of work?

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

Anthias are considered to be a lot of work because they need 3-4 small feedings each day and pristine water quality. The school of damsels might work, but expect a lot of aggression. They would also not school for long, setting up their own territories apart from one another. Instead, I would get 6-7 scissortail dartfish. They school pretty well, and are about the most peaceful fish in the hobby. Just have a lid over the tank, as they are jumpers. I hope that this helps!

 

[BanjoBandito]

It's the feeding and how they feed. They require near constant feeding as that's how they live in the wild. They have a very high metabolism and also feed on planktonic matter in the water column. So it's definitely tricky. Some people feed them 6-7 times a day.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

What size tank?
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

No on the damsels.
D

 

[Chrisv.]

Anthias are an issue because they NEED many feedings a day, and many feedings a day tend to trash water quality. And they also need great water quality.

 

[1ocean]

I have 5 anthias , in a 300 and they get feed twice a day and no issues...Had them almost a year

 

[Chrisv.]

I have 5 anthias , in a 300 and they get feed twice a day and no issues...Had them almost a year

That's great. When I tried to taper down to fewer feedings I ran into problems with them not getting enough food. Ended up rehoming to a person with a 450g tank where they thrived.