Jestersix

Fat head anthias

Chromis

Chromis

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What is the best number of fathead anthias to keep together in a 5’ tank with lots of hiding spots and overhangs, tank mates will be 2 ocellaris and a yellow tang. (The chromises are moving to my garage tank if I can catch them.) I’m going for minimizing stress on the anthias so are they happier being alone, or a group of say 3? I guess I need to make sure they are either all female or only one is a male - is it less stressful to put a male in there so they don’t have to fight over who becomes the male? Thanks
 
I would say all female, one will change to male later. Maybe 3-6 of them. My 12 Lyretails get along fine with my clowns and chromis.....just make sure they all get enough food. Maybe faten them up in QT first.
 
Apon said:
I would say all female, one will change to male later. Maybe 3-6 of them. My 12 Lyretails get along fine with my clowns and chromis.....just make sure they all get enough food. Maybe faten them up in QT first.
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Fathead anthias aren't a pseudanthias and have different husbandry. They prefer pairs, or singles. You really take a chance with 3, and you're really gambling getting 6. Scott has a nice, short, article on them in Reefs... https://reefs.com/magazine/aquarium-fish-fathead-anthias-serranocirrhitus-latus-watanabe-1949/

I had a lone one live for 6 years, and died in a tank accident. Sanjay and Kevin Kohen were both just posting on this fish a week or so ago on Facebook.
 
Fat head anthias are also shy compared to lyretail which are the opposite of shy! I have five lyretail in a 75G and it’s constant action.
 
Thanks @BAYMAC the article you forwarded says “try and acquire a male-female pair, two females, or a male and two females. Unfortunately, there are no known color differences between the sexes. To increase the chances of acquiring a pair, purchase individuals that differ significantly in size”

My takeaway is I would need to buy the 2 (or 3, seems 3 is the max recommended - not sure if the reason is more because 1 male and 2 females get along or it’s hedging bets in case one doesn’t make it) from the same vendor to make sure one is significantly larger than the others.
 
@Plankton Yea I wish I had more movement in the tank. I will probably need to get some open water swimmers to replace the chromis or add some chromis back in once the fatheads get established and get a bit bigger.
 
Chromis said:
Thanks @BAYMAC the article you forwarded says “try and acquire a male-female pair, two females, or a male and two females. Unfortunately, there are no known color differences between the sexes. To increase the chances of acquiring a pair, purchase individuals that differ significantly in size”

My takeaway is I would need to buy the 2 (or 3, seems 3 is the max recommended - not sure if the reason is more because 1 male and 2 females get along or it’s hedging bets in case one doesn’t make it) from the same vendor to make sure one is significantly larger than the others.
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I’ve seen “pairs” at AC many times with one xl and one small one.
 
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