Ventralis anthias help and advice

[MandarinFish]

I know they have a poor record. I learned this after I had one en route to my house.

So I have a FOWLR system with low lighting (just flourescents, not even VHO I don't think), I am keeping the temp just above 70, and keep the lights off a lot. Only tankmate is a bicolor centropyge.

I turned the lights on for the first time since introduction, and the Ventralis came right out!

I fed frozen baby brine, frozen zoo plankton, and that liquid / paste (with the yin-yang logo on the bottle). That kept the tank front filled with tiny floating particles for a while.

The Ventralis took it's time, but has nibbled and taken some bits here and there. So far so good, but a voracious eater would be best (I saw at the LFS today a niiiiiice Carpenter Wrasse going crazy trying to get into it's neighbor tank to get a swimming brine shrimp!).

So - give me advice on keeping this shy cave fish please. Try to be constructive and positive - I am asking for advice, not admonishment (I felt terrible when I discovered how tough these fish are to keep, but read everything I could immediately).

Thoughts?

 

[Len]

It sounds like you're off to a great start. The biggest hurdle people have with this species is getting them to come out and feed, and you seem blessed to not have the problem. Live brine generally works well to elicit a feeding response if need be. Fish also usually go nuts for puree of fresh market seafood, but this stuff gets taxing on the nutrient load of smaller tanks.

Your setup is well suited for P.ventralis. Cooler temps, reduced light .... I really don't know what else you can do. I know you're looking for suggestions, but all I really have is an affirmation about what you're currently doing

 

[bruddah]

hi mandarinfish,
may i ask where and how much you got this fish? ive been looking for one myself.
thanks

 

[MandarinFish]

Len - true... this fella wants to hang out, sems willing to eat, etc.

I was afraid after acclimating and putting him in, I would never see him again. I was stoked when he came right out!

Of course, the lack of tankmates (just the juvenile bicolor pygmy), the low temp, and low lighting all probably help.

I am essentiallly building this 135 FOWLR around keeping the Ventralis happy. Big sacrifice. Stunningly beautiful fish. I really love him. I will be quite proud if I can keep him alive for a long time.

Too bad females are $50. I cannot possibly build a harem of them without having my head examined.

Bruddah - he was $30 from liveaquaria.com and shipping was free with their current deal.

Now... what would make good tankmates for this fish? A pair of Mandarin Dragonets? Any chance of a Powder Blue Tang not being too aggressive? Firefish? Emperor angel?

 

[MandarinFish]

Anybody have idea on good tank mates for the Ventralis?