Sunburst Anthias advice needed asap

lunker101 · 07/17/2008, 07:54 PM

Hey guys. Ive always loved these fish and the LFS got one in today with the best coloration i've ever seen and for a good price so i snatched it up, but i took it straight from the bag. I usually like to let the fish sit there for a few days and make sure they eat but this guy was took great looking and greatly priced to pass up. I intend to keep him in my 65g reef, but im a little nervous as to their feeding habits. Do you think im better off keeping him in a 12g nanocube (just rock and him, its been empty) until he's taking frozen or should i put him straight into the 65? The 65 does have better water conditions (always perfect) but the nano is hit or miss as I dont keep it nearly as well maintained as the 65.

Macimage · 07/17/2008, 09:32 PM

I would typically advise that you qt him. Can you move some of the live rock from your display to the nano. It would seem on a nano that you could do a 100% water change with seasoned water from your display before you put him in.

Although Anthias are not ich magnets like tangs, the qt will allow you to monitor his health and allow him to get settled in and eating your food without competition or aggression from your display fish.

Good Luck!
Joyce

wrott · 07/17/2008, 09:57 PM

I have one in my 56g
I would put it directly in the 65g. Feed a mix of one cube each of mysis/brine(Hikari) together w/ a drop of garlic extract 5-6x per day(not 5-6 cubes per day).
It will eat this.
After a week or so, back down to 2x/day or once.

Macimage · 07/17/2008, 10:03 PM

Quote:

I would put it directly in the 65g.

It's hard to advise as to whether or not it would do well going directly into the 65 without knowing what other fish are in the 65.

Joyce

tonyf · 07/17/2008, 10:58 PM

Anthias are typically from the reef head and prefer good water motion and swimming space ... 65 gal a little small maybe ?

Macimage · 07/17/2008, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Anthias are typically from the reef head and prefer good water motion and swimming space ... 65 gal a little small maybe ?

This fish gets to 1.5-2" per the database on Marine Center:

http://www.marinecenter.com/fish/ant...nburstanthias/

Joyce

nikon187 · 07/17/2008, 11:38 PM

i think he will be allright in the 65..

i did the same as you and bought my lyetails straight from the bag too and straight into the display they went. ( Not saying you should or shouldn't QT, in this piticular case i did not but usually do) It took them about 3 days to eat with the above method of feeding ( brine and Mysis soaked in garlic ) a couple times a day.

nikon187 · 07/17/2008, 11:39 PM

i have seen 4 inch ones and i still think you will be fine

K' Family Reef · 07/18/2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tonyf
Anthias are typically from the reef head and prefer good water motion and swimming space ... 65 gal a little small maybe ?

we have had a sunburst for over a year.
they are not like other anthias in their behavior... they are mellow fish that hang back in the rocks... they dont swim all over... pop in out of rocks - pretty much stays in one area of the tank... the biggest concern you might have is getting it to eat... ours will eat frozen mysis only... they are picky eaters... might see it eat only to later spit it out... if it wont eat the mysis you give it might try another brand...

beautiful fish and one of our favs!

good luck w/ yours.

regards

Macimage · 07/18/2008, 06:39 PM

My sunburst also hung out in one area of the tank. They are not active swimmers like other anthias.

Joyce

LOTUS50GOD · 07/18/2008, 08:32 PM

My sunburst is a pig...
Will eat anything...
Just like others though not a big swimmer..
Im my 340. He stays in one small cave.

07/17/2008, 07:54 PM	#1
lunker101 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 226	Sunburst Anthias advice needed asap Hey guys. Ive always loved these fish and the LFS got one in today with the best coloration i've ever seen and for a good price so i snatched it up, but i took it straight from the bag. I usually like to let the fish sit there for a few days and make sure they eat but this guy was took great looking and greatly priced to pass up. I intend to keep him in my 65g reef, but im a little nervous as to their feeding habits. Do you think im better off keeping him in a 12g nanocube (just rock and him, its been empty) until he's taking frozen or should i put him straight into the 65? The 65 does have better water conditions (always perfect) but the nano is hit or miss as I dont keep it nearly as well maintained as the 65.

07/17/2008, 09:57 PM	#3
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	I have one in my 56g I would put it directly in the 65g. Feed a mix of one cube each of mysis/brine(Hikari) together w/ a drop of garlic extract 5-6x per day(not 5-6 cubes per day). It will eat this. After a week or so, back down to 2x/day or once. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

07/17/2008, 10:58 PM	#5
tonyf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 524	Anthias are typically from the reef head and prefer good water motion and swimming space ... 65 gal a little small maybe ? __________________ These are my Principles ... If you don't like them, I have others -- Graucho Marx http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1650727 Current Tank Info: 500 gal reef

07/17/2008, 11:38 PM	#7
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	i think he will be allright in the 65.. i did the same as you and bought my lyetails straight from the bag too and straight into the display they went. ( Not saying you should or shouldn't QT, in this piticular case i did not but usually do) It took them about 3 days to eat with the above method of feeding ( brine and Mysis soaked in garlic ) a couple times a day. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

07/17/2008, 11:39 PM	#8
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	i have seen 4 inch ones and i still think you will be fine __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

07/17/2008, 09:32 PM	#2
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	I would typically advise that you qt him. Can you move some of the live rock from your display to the nano. It would seem on a nano that you could do a 100% water change with seasoned water from your display before you put him in. Although Anthias are not ich magnets like tangs, the qt will allow you to monitor his health and allow him to get settled in and eating your food without competition or aggression from your display fish. Good Luck! Joyce

07/18/2008, 06:39 PM	#10
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	My sunburst also hung out in one area of the tank. They are not active swimmers like other anthias. Joyce

07/18/2008, 08:32 PM	#11
LOTUS50GOD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,210	My sunburst is a pig... Will eat anything... Just like others though not a big swimmer.. Im my 340. He stays in one small cave. __________________ Vertex Alpha 300 Skimmer, AI SOL Blue, Neptune Apex Controlled 360 gallon Reef Current Tank Info: born 6/26/2008- 340 reef + 100 fuge, 300lbs of figi LR