Anthias
General
These fish are for the intermediate to advanced hobbyists. They require
optimal water quality, brisk water movement, and frequent feedings. One male
with one or more females in a larger size aquarium (120 gallons or more) would
be best.
Feeding/Diet
These fish require frequent feedings of meaty foods. Live brine shrimp
may have to be offered at first. Frozen mysis shrimp, plankton, and bloodworms
are all good choices that should be offered daily. Dry prepared foods can be
used as a supplementary food source, but should not constitute a majority of
their diet. A refugium would be an excellent source of consistent live food for
these demanding fish.
Compatibility
Anthias should not be housed with fish that are too aggressive. They
should be kept one species to a tank and not more than a trio (one male with two
females) in your tank.
Habitat
Provide plenty of rockwork and hiding places so that your anthias feel
safe and they will reward you by staying out in the open. Anthias live in the
powerful surges of the reef and will require extreme water movement in your
tank. The tank’s volume should run through your filters a minimum of ten times
per hour (a 90-gallon tank should have 900 gph filtration) with closer to twenty
times being optimum (1800 gph). You can use extra powerheads with the Aquarium
Systems Natural Wave power strip to simulate the alternating water currents of
the ocean.
Expert Care
Squareback Anthias (Anthias pleurotaenia)
Bartlett’s Anthias (Pseudanthias bartlettorum)
Dispar Anthias (Pseudanthias dispar)
Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis)
Fathead Anthias (Serranocirrhitus latus)
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