Opinions on stocking Anthias and other fish

[ScubaSteve]

Hey guys,

I'm having a hard time putting together a fish stock list for the new tank and I have been, for the past few weeks, rather interested in Anthias. Off the bat I will say it: Yes, I realize they can be a challenge. I'm cool with this. I want a bit of a challenge and I am working on some cool ways to feed live constantly. So... ummm... no need to bring it up.

I am also going to be doing this in a 50 gallon cube with lots of swimming space. I know this is smaller than what is usually recommended for these fish but there is a method behind this madness, so bare with me for a minute.

There are 3 species that I am considering at the moment (in order of my love for them):

1. Sunset Anthias (Pseudanthias parvirostris)
2. Bartlett's Anthias (P. bartlettorum)
3. Red Saddleback Anthias (P. Flavoguttatus)
4. Dispar Anthias (P. dispar)

Unless I can find a good deal for a few of them, the p. Flavoguttatus are a bit out of my price range so let's just ignore those for now.

Let's talk about the Bartlett's first. I have read time and again that bartlett's have a tendency to all turn male and eventually all kill each other. This seems to happen especially in larger tanks where it is recommended that you keep a harem. The theory goes that because there is more space and the dominant females are beaten up less they feel more inclined to turn male. While this is good in that it creates a supermale/sub-dominant hierarchy where you get awesome colours out of the fish, they end up killing each other eventually. In a smaller tank they tend to scrap it out more to establish the male/female hierarchies so the females are less likely to turn male. I have been debating trying 3-4 bartlett's in my 50 gallon as a bit of an experiment and see if this stops them from all turning male. Thoughts?

The Anthias that I REALLY want in the Sunset Anthias. I know these guys are sometimes hard to get eating. I'd keep myself prepared with live foods during the weening process or even build an auto-live food feeder (been playing with this idea for a while) if they refuse prepared or frozen foods completely. There isn't a whole lot of info out there on these guys but I do know that they are pretty hardy once established and eating and tend to be a less pugnacious than the Bartlett's. Again, I'd like to try a few of these guys if possible but would happily consider keeping one singly. Thoughts?

Because the Sunset's are tricky to get eating and are timid, I have been debating using a Bartlett as a dither fish and adding it just before or at the same time as the Sunset's to have the bolder Bartlett show the Sunset how to eat and show them that everything is safe. I've been a bit worried about adding a Bartlett before the Sunset for fear of having the Bartlett beat up on them.

Now, if you feel a harem is not going to work out for me, what about keeping 1 or two of each different species... Like 1 Sunset, 2 Bartlett's and 1 dispar? Anyone ever have success with mixed singles? I realize that in this situation I might have them fade into all sub-dominant colours.

I'd love to have a small harem in the tank (of any fish) that will stay together. I recognize that schooling behavior in these fish is typically brought on or accentuated by having a "bully" in the tank. I will be adding a mystery wrasse after all of the anthias. The wrasse will tend to bully them as time goes on, keeping a bit of order to the harem and, because the wrasse hangs out in the middle of the water column and around the rock, this will keep them grouped in the upper water column more of the time.

I am only planning on having 4 or 5 smaller fish (max) in the tank as this tank will be more of a coral tank.

Any one with a bit of experience with any of these fish?