The Ignitus Anthias, *Anthias ignitus*, is a vibrant and active addition to the reef aquarium. Its striking coloration, featuring shades of orange and red, adds a splash of brilliance to any marine display. These beautiful fish are native to the Indo-Pacific region, where they inhabit rocky reefs and slopes.
A minimum tank size of 75 gallons is recommended for the Ignitus Anthias, providing ample swimming space for these schooling fish. They are considered to have an intermediate care level, requiring stable water parameters and a varied diet. While generally peaceful, they are best kept in groups to reduce stress and encourage natural schooling behavior.
In the aquarium, the Ignitus Anthias will readily accept a diet of high-quality marine flake food, pellet food, frozen mysis shrimp, and enriched brine shrimp. Frequent small feedings throughout the day are beneficial to maintain their health and vibrant colors. They typically reach a maximum size of around 3 inches in captivity. Providing plenty of live rock with hiding places will help them feel secure in their environment.
The Fathead Anthias, *Anthias anthias*, is a vibrant and active fish that adds a splash of color to the marine aquarium. Known for its striking pink to reddish-orange coloration and distinctive “fathead” profile, this species is a captivating addition to a reef or fish-only tank.
A minimum tank size of 125 gallons is recommended for the Fathead Anthias, as they are active swimmers and prefer to be kept in groups. They are considered an intermediate level fish due to their need for stable water parameters and a varied diet. While generally peaceful, they can be territorial with other anthias species, so it’s best to introduce them simultaneously or keep them in a species-specific group.
In the aquarium, the Fathead Anthias will thrive on a diet of high-quality marine flake food, pellet food, and a variety of frozen foods such as mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood. Frequent feedings throughout the day are beneficial to maintain their health and vibrant coloration. They are native to the Indo-Pacific region and typically reach a maximum size of around 5 inches.
The Bimaculatus Anthias, *Anthias bimaculatus*, is a vibrant and active addition to the reef aquarium. Hailing from the Indo-Pacific region, this species is known for its striking coloration and schooling behavior in the wild.
A minimum tank size of 75 gallons is recommended to provide ample swimming space for this active fish. They are best kept in groups to mimic their natural schooling behavior, which also helps to reduce stress and encourage more natural interactions. A well-established reef aquarium with plenty of live rock for hiding places and open swimming areas is ideal.
The Bimaculatus Anthias is considered to have an intermediate care level. They require multiple feedings per day of small, meaty foods such as enriched brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and high-quality marine pellets or flakes. Maintaining stable water parameters and excellent water quality is crucial for their health and vibrant coloration. They are generally peaceful towards other fish but may become territorial with conspecifics if not kept in a sufficiently large group. They are reef-safe and will not harm corals or invertebrates.
The Carberry Anthias, *Anthias carberryi*, is a vibrant and active addition to the reef aquarium. Hailing from the Indo-Pacific region, this beautiful fish displays striking coloration, typically featuring shades of pink, orange, and yellow, often with distinctive markings. Its graceful swimming pattern and schooling behavior make it a captivating focal point in a well-established marine environment.
A minimum tank size of 75 gallons is recommended for the Carberry Anthias, providing ample space for swimming and establishing a social hierarchy. They are best kept in groups, as this mimics their natural schooling behavior and reduces stress. A mature reef aquarium with plenty of live rock for hiding places and grazing is ideal. While considered intermediate in care level, they require stable water parameters and a varied diet to thrive.
In the aquarium, the Carberry Anthias should be offered a diverse diet consisting of high-quality marine flakes, pellets, frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and other meaty foods. Multiple feedings throughout the day are beneficial due to their high metabolism. They are generally peaceful towards other fish but may exhibit some territoriality within their own species, especially among males. They typically reach a maximum size of around 4-5 inches.
The Borbonius Anthias, *Anthias borbonius*, is a stunning and highly prized deepwater anthias species known for its vibrant coloration and graceful swimming. Its body is a beautiful blend of pinks and oranges, often with striking purple or red accents on the fins and tail. These colors can intensify with maturity and depending on the individual fish.
A minimum tank size of 125 gallons is recommended for the Borbonius Anthias, providing ample swimming space and stable water parameters. Due to their deepwater origins, they prefer cooler water temperatures and lower light levels compared to many other reef fish. They are best kept in a peaceful community aquarium with other non-aggressive fish. While they can be kept singly, they are often more comfortable and display more natural behavior when kept in small groups, provided the tank is large enough.
In the aquarium, the Borbonius Anthias requires a varied diet of high-quality meaty foods. Offer a mix of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and other small marine crustaceans multiple times a day. Due to their high metabolism, frequent small feedings are crucial for their health and well-being. They are considered an advanced species due to their specific environmental and dietary needs. They typically reach a maximum size of around 5 inches in captivity.
The Pink Square Anthias, *Pseudanthias pleurotaenia*, is a captivating and active addition to the reef aquarium. Males display a striking pink to reddish-purple body with a prominent, rectangular or square-shaped patch of pink or purple on their sides, while females are typically a more uniform orange-pink.
A minimum tank size of 70 gallons is recommended to provide ample swimming space and accommodate a small group. These fish are best kept in a harem of one male and several females. A well-established reef aquarium with plenty of live rock for hiding and perching is ideal. They are generally considered reef-safe, but caution should be exercised with very small ornamental shrimp.
The Pink Square Anthias is a planktivore in the wild and requires multiple small feedings throughout the day in the aquarium. Their diet should consist of a variety of high-quality marine foods such as enriched frozen mysis shrimp, enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty preparations. They may also accept high-quality flake and pellet foods designed for marine fish.
Like other anthias, the Pink Square Anthias is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning all individuals are born female and the dominant female in a group will transition into a male. Breeding in captivity is rare.
The Lyretail Anthias, *Pseudanthias squamipinnis*, is a captivating and active schooling fish that adds a splash of vibrant color to the marine aquarium. Males are typically a brilliant fuchsia or purple with an elongated lyre-shaped tail, while females and juveniles are a striking orange or yellow. As they mature, the dominant female in a group will transition into a male.
A minimum tank size of 70 gallons is recommended to provide ample swimming space for a small school of Lyretail Anthias. They thrive in a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock offering numerous hiding places and crevices. While generally peaceful, they are best kept with other non-aggressive fish. They are considered reef-safe, posing no threat to corals or invertebrates.
Lyretail Anthias are planktivores and require multiple feedings throughout the day to maintain their health and vibrant coloration. Their diet should consist of a variety of high-quality marine foods such as enriched frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and other meaty preparations. They will also readily accept high-quality flake and pellet foods designed for marine fish. In the aquarium, they typically reach a size of about 5 inches. Breeding in captivity is rare.
The Lyretail Anthias, *Pseudanthias squamipinnis*, is a captivating and active schooling fish that adds a splash of vibrant color to the marine aquarium. Males are typically a brilliant fuchsia or purple with an elongated lyre-shaped tail, while females and juveniles are a striking orange or yellow. As they mature, the dominant female in a group will transition into a male.
A minimum tank size of 70 gallons is recommended to provide ample swimming space for a small school of Lyretail Anthias. They thrive in a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock offering numerous hiding places and crevices. While generally peaceful, they are best kept with other non-aggressive fish. They are considered reef-safe, posing no threat to corals or invertebrates.
Lyretail Anthias are planktivores and require multiple feedings throughout the day to maintain their health and vibrant coloration. Their diet should consist of a variety of high-quality marine foods such as enriched frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and other meaty preparations. They will also readily accept high-quality flake and pellet foods designed for marine fish. In the aquarium, they typically reach a size of about 5 inches. Breeding in captivity is rare.
The Pink Square Anthias, *Pseudanthias pleurotaenia*, is a captivating and active addition to the reef aquarium. Males display a striking pink to reddish-purple body with a prominent, rectangular or square-shaped patch of pink or purple on their sides, while females are typically a more uniform orange-pink.
A minimum tank size of 70 gallons is recommended to provide ample swimming space and accommodate a small group. These fish are best kept in a harem of one male and several females. A well-established reef aquarium with plenty of live rock for hiding and perching is ideal. They are generally considered reef-safe, but caution should be exercised with very small ornamental shrimp.
The Pink Square Anthias is a planktivore in the wild and requires multiple small feedings throughout the day in the aquarium. Their diet should consist of a variety of high-quality marine foods such as enriched frozen mysis shrimp, enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty preparations. They may also accept high-quality flake and pellet foods designed for marine fish.
Like other anthias, the Pink Square Anthias is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning all individuals are born female and the dominant female in a group will transition into a male. Breeding in captivity is rare.
The Bicolor Pseudanthias, also known as the Bicolor Anthias, is a captivating and active fish that adds a splash of color to any reef aquarium. Its body is a striking combination of vibrant yellow on the anterior half, transitioning to a beautiful purple or pink on the posterior half, with a distinctive purple stripe running from the eye to the pectoral fin.
A minimum tank size of 70 gallons is recommended to provide ample swimming space and accommodate a small group. These fish thrive in a well-established reef environment with plenty of live rock offering hiding places and perching spots. While generally considered reef-safe, they may occasionally nip at certain sessile invertebrates, so careful observation is advised.
In the aquarium, the Bicolor Pseudanthias typically reaches a size of around 4-5 inches. They are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they are born female and can change to male. Distinguishing between males and females based on color alone is difficult.
Their diet should consist of a variety of meaty foods, including mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and other high-quality frozen preparations. Offering small, frequent feedings throughout the day is beneficial for their health and well-being.
The Dispar Anthias, also known as the Peach Anthias or Redfin Anthias, is a vibrant and active addition to the reef aquarium. Males display a striking peach to orange coloration with a prominent red stripe along the dorsal fin, while females are typically a more uniform pinkish-orange. These social fish are best kept in groups, which helps to reduce stress and encourages natural schooling behavior.
A minimum of a 70-gallon aquarium is recommended for a small group of Dispar Anthias, with larger tanks being preferable for bigger schools. Provide plenty of live rock with numerous caves and overhangs for hiding and perching. A strong current is appreciated as they are accustomed to living in areas with good water flow. They are generally considered reef-safe, posing little threat to corals or invertebrates.
Dispar Anthias are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they are born female and can change to male. The largest and most dominant individual in a group will typically become the male. Breeding in captivity is rare. Their diet should consist of a variety of meaty foods, including mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and other high-quality frozen preparations. They should be fed multiple times a day due to their high metabolism. In a home aquarium, they typically reach a size of around 3 inches.
