Anthias , saltwater fish aquarium

ANTHIAS

Anthias make up a sizeable portion of the population of pink, orange and yellow fishes seen swarming in most coral reef photography and film. The anthias are members of the family Serranidae (basses, basslets, groupers) and make up the subfamily Anthiinae.

Anthias are mostly small, peaceful, and beautiful; and are thus quite popular within the aquarium hobbyist. They form complex social structures based on the number of males and females and also their position on the reef itself, and are mainly plankton feeders. They occur in all tropical oceans and seas of the world. Anthias can shoal by the thousands. Anthias do school in these large groups, though they tend toward more intimate subdivisions within the school, appropriately called "harems". These consist of one dominant, colorful male, anywhere from 2-12 females — who have their own hierarchy among them — and up to 2 'subdominant' males, often less brightly colored and non-territorial. Within the swarm of females, territorial males perform acrobatic U-swim displays and vigorously defend an area of the reef and its associated harem.

Anthias are hermaphrodites, another words, all anthias are born female; if a dominant male perishes, the largest female of the group will often change into a male to take its place. This may lead to squabbling between the next largest male, who sees an opportunity to advance, and the largest female, whose hormones are surging with testosterone.

Fathead / Sunburst Anthias
(Serranocirrhitus latus)

Description The Sunburst Anthias requires several caves or hiding places where it can rest and avoid intense reef lighting. Anthias species are all hermaphroditic. This means that if a dominant male dies, the largest female will often morph into a male and take its place in the hierarchy. These fish are completely reef safe and should not bother any corals, clams, or invertebrates. They are best kept singly unless you have a larger tank of 100 gallons or more. When keeping in groups it is best to select individuals of various sizes and to add them all at the same time. Suitable tankmates include other passive such as gobies, basslets, small wrasses, pygmy angels, and small tangs. Feed frozen preparations containing mysid shrimp, brine shrimp, and other finely chopped marine meats twice per day.
Diet: Anthias are planktivores and feed primarily on zooplankton, tiny animals found in the water column. They benefit from several small feedings throughout the day rather than one large feeding. A healthy microinvertebrate population in the aquarium with a constant supply of food items like copepods and amphipods is beneficial but most anthias can be weaned onto frozen and prepared zooplanktons, Cyclop-eeze, mysis shrimp, baby brine shrimp and similar items.
Minimum Tank Size: The Fathead/Sunburst Anthias prefers a tank of at least 75 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.
Level of Care: Moderate
Reef Aquarium Compatibility: Great for a reef aquarium!
approximate purchase size: 1" - 2"

$69.99

Dispar Anthias
(Pseudanthias Dispar)

Description: The Dispar Anthias is also known as the Redfin Anthias, Peach Anthias, and the Madder Seaperch. The Dispar Anthias has an orange to lavender body. The dorsal fin is a brighter red on males than the females.This is an open water swimmer that does great in groups. You can expect to see them throughout the day swimming in the main water column of the aquarium.Males do best when kept in groups with several females. May become aggressive towards other anthias. The Dispar Anthias appreciate a high flow environment. In the wild, they are found swimming in the strong currents over the reef feeding on plankton.
Diet: Anthias are planktivores and feed primarily on zooplankton, tiny animals found in the water column. They benefit from several small feedings throughout the day rather than one large feeding. A healthy microinvertebrate population in the aquarium with a constant supply of food items like copepods and amphipods is beneficial but most anthias can be weaned onto frozen and prepared zooplanktons, Cyclop-eeze, mysis shrimp, baby brine shrimp and similar items.
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallon tank will suffice for one fish, however, if keeping a group, a 125 gallon tank should be used since Anthias appreciate plenty of room to swim.
Reef Aquarium Compatibility: Great for a reef aquarium!
Level of Care: Moderate
approximate purchase size: 2-3"

$34.99

Evansi Anthias
(Pseudanthias evansi )

Description This is an open water swimmer that does great in groups. You can expect to see them throughout the day swimming in the main water column of the aquarium. Males do best when kept in groups with several females. The Evansi Anthias appreciate a high flow environment. The Evansi Anthias is also known as Evan's Anthias, or the Yellowtail Goldie.
Diet: Anthias are planktivores and feed primarily on zooplankton, tiny animals found in the water column. They benefit from several small feedings throughout the day rather than one large feeding. A healthy microinvertebrate population in the aquarium with a constant supply of food items like copepods and amphipods is beneficial but most anthias can be weaned onto frozen and prepared zooplanktons, Cyclop-eeze, mysis shrimp, baby brine shrimp and similar items.
Minimum Tank Size: If kept alone, a 25 gallon tank is sufficient, if in a community with multiple fish, we suggest at least a 75 gallon tank.
Reef Aquarium Compatibility: Excellent
Level of Care: Moderate
approximate purchase size: 2-1/2" to 3-1/2"

$39.99

Square Pink Anthias
(Pseudanthias Pleurotaenia)

Description: The Pink square anthias is the largest of the anthias family. They can attain a size of 4-5 inches and should be housed in at least a 75 gallon tank. They are a great schooling fish and are reef safe. They are of a peaceful temperment and get along with most community fish. The male is reddish pink with a bright pink square or blotch on the side. The female is a bright orange-yellow color. A
Diet: Anthias are planktivores and feed primarily on zooplankton, tiny animals found in the water column. They benefit from several small feedings throughout the day rather than one large feeding. A healthy microinvertebrate population in the aquarium with a constant supply of food items like copepods and amphipods is beneficial but most anthias can be weaned onto frozen and prepared zooplanktons, Cyclop-eeze, mysis shrimp, baby brine shrimp and similar items.
Minimum Tank Size: 25 gallon tank will suffice for one fish, however, if keeping a group, a 125 gallon tank should be used since the Squareback Anthias appreciates plenty of room to swim.
Reef Aquarium Compatibility: Great for a reef aquarium!
Level of Care: Moderate
approximate purchase size: 2-1/2" to 3-1/2"

Female $29.99 Males $49.99

Lyretail Anthias
Pseudanthias squamipinnis

Description:The Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) are one of the more popular home tank anthias. Also known as the Warpaint Anthias for its vivid markings, especially in the males. The exact coloration can vary, depending on the region the fish was collected in, but follows the same general pattern. The male has an orange-red body with yellow scales on the sides, elongated rays in the dorsal fin, a forked tail, and long pelvic fins. Males are generally darker than females and have large red spots on the pectoral fins. The female has a light orange body with elongated rays in the dorsal fin, a forked tail, and long pelvic fins. A purple stripe extends across the cheek to the pectoral fins of both males and females. These fish are best kept in small harems of one male to several females. If the aquarium cannot handle a group of 3 or more anthias in a male-female harem, then it is best to keep only 1 in the tank.
Diet: Anthias are planktivores and feed primarily on zooplankton, tiny animals found in the water column. They benefit from several small feedings throughout the day rather than one large feeding. A healthy microinvertebrate population in the aquarium with a constant supply of food items like copepods and amphipods is beneficial but most anthias can be weaned onto frozen and prepared zooplanktons, Cyclop-eeze, mysis shrimp, baby brine shrimp and similar items.
Minimum Tank Size: 25 gallon tank will suffice for one fish, however, if keeping a group, a 90 gallon tank or larger should be used since Anthias appreciate plenty of room to swim.
Reef Aquarium Compatibility: Anthias are Reef Safe and are not normally known to bother corals or invertebrates.
Level of Care: Moderate
approximate purchase size: 2-3"

Female $21.99 Males $28.99

Ventralis Anthias
(Pseudanthias ventralis)

Description The Ventralis Anthias is one of the more demanding of the Anthias, and should be kept in as a solitary specimen, as it does not do well with others of it's own or with other Anthias. As with most Anthias kept in aquariums, the Ventralis Anthias will look their best when the tank has a lot of cliffs and overhangs, mimicking their natural environment. While this species is best left to the experts, given the right environment, they can thrive in the marine aquarium.
Diet: Anthias are planktivores and feed primarily on zooplankton, tiny animals found in the water column. They benefit from several small feedings throughout the day rather than one large feeding. A healthy microinvertebrate population in the aquarium with a constant supply of food items like copepods and amphipods is beneficial but most anthias can be weaned onto frozen and prepared zooplanktons, Cyclop-eeze, mysis shrimp, baby brine shrimp and similar items.
Minimum Tank Size: The Ventralis Anthias prefers a tank of at least 75 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.
Reef Compatability: Excellent. No threat to corals or ornamental invertebrates.
Care Level: for experts only, not covered by our guarantee.
Approximate Purchase Size: 2" to 3"
Please note: We guarantee that ALL aquaria species we offer will arrive alive and in good condition. However, the increased level of care required for this particular marine specimen, designates it as an "Advanced Aquarist Species Only." Therefore recommended only for the expert marine aquarist, zoo, or research institution .

Males $129.99 Female $79.99

Randalls Anthias
(Pseudanthias randalli)

Description Randall's Anthias is found on groups of 10 to 20 fish on reef dropoffs at depths over 65 feet. It remains close to the substrate even when feeding. It is adapted to dim light and benthic feeding.
Husbandry: Randall's Anthias prefers a dimly lit aquarium and may acclimate better if other smaller Anthias (Dispar) are present. It should not be placed with other aggressive species since it may then refuse to feed. This is a delicate anthias species and should be housed with other peaceful fish. It is collected from deep reefs and is prone to swimbladder buoyancy problems when handled poorly.
Diet: The diet is consistent with other members of the Anthias group - zooplankton and floating filamentous algae. In the aquarium, it should be fed a varied diet of mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, frozen preparations and other meaty items for zooplankton feeders, small quantities of food several times per day.
Approximate Purchase Size: 2" to 3"
Reef Aquarium Compatibility: Great for a reef aquarium!
Level of Care: Moderate

$59.99

Bartletts Anthias
(Psuedoanthias bartlettorum)

One of few Anthias that adapts well to captivity

Description: The Bartletts Anthias dwells in the middle of a tank but appreciates the availability of several hiding places. Anthias species all share the trait of being hermaphroditic. If a dominant male perishes, the largest female will morph to take its place. If two females or more females are placed into the aquarium, one of the females will change into a male.
Tank Recommendations: The Bartlett's Anthias does best in a tank of at least 50 gallons with live rock.
Diet: The diet is consistent with other members of the Anthias group - zooplankton and floating filamentous algae. In the aquarium, it should be fed a varied diet of mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, frozen preparations and other meaty items for zooplankton feeders, small quantities of food several times per day.
Approximate Purchase Size: 2" to 3"
Reef Aquarium Compatibility: Great for a reef aquarium!
Level of Care: One of the Easiest of Anthias to keep

Starting at $39.99

Threadfin or Carberryi Anthias
(Nemanthias carberryi)

Description The Carberryi anthias is a stunning fish also known under the name Threadfin anthias.The Carberryi anthias has a yellow body with a purple field that stretches over the lower half of the body from the upper part of its head to the bottom of the tailfin. Females are of an orange yellow color.In the wild they are often found in groups of thousands of fish.In the aquarium they are best kept in groups with one male and several females. They can sometimes have a hard time acclimatizing to a new aquarium. The presence of another anthias species can make the process easier. Give Carberryi Anthias at least 4 hours to acclimatize before releasing them into your tank.
Tank Recomendations: The Carberryi anthias needs a large aquarium despite being a small species. This is due to the fact that they live in open water above reefs and like to swim a lot. They should not be kept in aquariums smaller than 70 gallon.
Diet: The diet is consistent with other members of the Anthias group - zooplankton and floating filamentous algae. In the aquarium, it should be fed a varied diet of mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, frozen preparations and other meaty items for zooplankton feeders, small quantities of food several times per day.
Reef Aquarium Compatibility: Great for a reef aquarium!
Level of Care: Moderate
approximate purchase size: 2-4"

$44.99

Red Fairy Anthias
(Pseudanthias kashiwae)

Description The Red Fairy Anthias is also called the Tricolor Anthias , the Cooper's Anthias, Red Fairy Basslet, Silver Streak, or Kashiwae Anthias. A well developed lateral red bar and a red caudal fin differentiate the male from a female which only has red tips on the caudal fin and a pinkish-orange body color.
Diet: The diet is consistent with other members of the Anthias group - zooplankton and floating filamentous algae. In the aquarium, it should be fed a varied diet of mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, frozen preparations and other meaty items for zooplankton feeders, small quantities of food several times per day.
Reef Aquarium Compatibility: Great for a reef aquarium!
Level of Care: Moderate
approximate purchase size: 2--1/2 to 3-1/2"

Maldives $59.99

Huchtii or Green Anthias
(Pseudanthias huchtii)

Description The Hutchii Anthias is also referred to as the Green or Sea Goldie Anthias. They normally inhabit shallow reef faces and drop offs.and originates within the reefs of the Solomon Islands. The males collor is a yellowish green and they have an orange stripe that is horizontal behind the eye .The fins add to the beauty with a yellow/orange highlights and bright blue accents. The females are not as brightly colored as the males and share the same orange stripe behind the eye.
Diet: The diet is consistent with other members of the Anthias group - zooplankton and floating filamentous algae. In the aquarium, it should be fed a varied diet of mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, frozen preparations and other meaty items for zooplankton feeders, small quantities of food several times per day.
Minimum Tank Size: The Huchtii Anthias does best when kept in an aquarium of at least 50 gallons. Males are best kept alone with several females in an aquarium of at least 120 gallons, or singly.
Reef Aquarium Compatibility: Great for a reef aquarium!
Level of Care: Moderate
approximate purchase size: 2-4"

Solomon Island $69.99

Hawiian Fancy Bicolor Anthias
(Pseudanthias bicolor)

One of the hardiest of the Anthias!

Description The bicolor anthias, or fancy bass anthias as it is also called, is one of the largest anthias species available in the trade. It is also one of the easiest anthias species to care for. The name bicolor is both really suitable and simultaneously somewhat misguiding for this species as it in fact displays three colors. The upper half of the body is yellow or orange, the lower half can be anything from an almost white pinkish to pink or purple, and the edges of the fins are deep blue.

The Bicolor anthias is as earlier mentioned on one of the easiest anthias species to care for but it can still be quite sensitive and timid until it has properly acclimatized to your aquarium. When first introducing them to your aquarium you should allow them to acclimatize for 4 hours before releasing them. It is important that there are no aggressive fish to harass your bicolor anthias during the first weeks until they have made themselves at home in the tank, so it is a good idea to make this one of the first species introduced to your aquarium. Once they feel at home they can be kept with more aggressive fish such as dwarf angels.
Bicolor anthias can be kept in groups with one male and several females or as a solitary fish. Never keep more than one male in the same aquarium.
Diet: The diet is consistent with other members of the Anthias group - zooplankton and floating filamentous algae. In the aquarium, it should be fed a varied diet of mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, frozen preparations and other meaty items for zooplankton feeders, small quantities of food several times per day.
Minimum Tank Size: The Hawaiian Fancy Bicolor Anthias does best when kept with its own species in an aquarium of at least 70 gallons,.
Reef Aquarium Compatibility: Great for a reef aquarium!
Level of Care: One of the Easiest of Anthias to keep
approximate purchase size: 2-4"

Hawiian Islands $49.99

Japanese Borbonius Anthias
(Odontanthias borbonius)

Rare Find!!!

Description The Borbonius Anthias(Odontanthias borbonius), also known as the Checked Anthias and Blotchy Anthias, are rare deep water anthias that are not commonly seen in the hobby. These hardy anthias readily feed on Mysis shrimp and are a rare find for the saltwater aquarium keeper. They are reef safe, do well in groups and generally peaceful.
Diet: The diet is consistent with other members of the Anthias group - zooplankton and floating filamentous algae. In the aquarium, it should be fed a varied diet of mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, frozen preparations and other meaty items for zooplankton feeders, small quantities of food several times per day.
Minimum Tank Size: It is best kept in a 75 gallon or larger tank. Can be kept single or in groups.
Reef Aquarium Compatibility: Great for a reef aquarium!
Level of Care: Moderate
approximate purchase size: 2-1/2" to 3"

out of stock

Yellow Spotted Anthias
(Pseudanthias flavoguttatus)

Very Rare Find!!!

Description An amazing Anthias out of Japan. This is another one of the rare deep water anthias that are not commonly seen in the hobby. Absolutely stunning fish! These beauties have some amazing coloration, and are a terrific find when available. A deep water anthias, they will readily feed on Mysis shrimp and a true prize for the saltwater aquarium keeper. They are reef safe, do well in groups and are peaceful.
Diet: The diet is consistent with other members of the Anthias group - zooplankton and floating filamentous algae. In the aquarium, it should be fed a varied diet of mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, frozen preparations and other meaty items for zooplankton feeders, small quantities of food several times per day.
Minimum Tank Size: It is best kept in a 75 gallon or larger tank. Can be kept single or in groups.
Reef Aquarium Compatibility: Great for a reef aquarium!
Level of Care: Moderate
approximate purchase size: 2-4"

Red Striped Anthias
(Pseudanthias fasciatus)

Description The adult Striped Anthias (Pseudanthias fasciatus) , also called the one stripe, is pink-orange with a bright red horizontal stripe on each side.
Minimum Tank Size: It is best kept in a 100 gallon or larger tank. Can be kept single or in groups.
Diet:The diet is consistent with other members of the Anthias group - zooplankton and floating filamentous algae. In the aquarium, it should be fed a varied diet of mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, frozen preparations and other meaty items for zooplankton feeders, and small quantities of food several times per day.
Reef Aquarium Compatibility: Great for a reef aquarium!
Level of Care: Moderate
approximate purchase size: 2-4"

$49.99

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Photos are representative of each species. Each animal is unique and variations should be expected.

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Please note: Aquatic Connection will not guarantee the coloration of corals as seen in your reef system.

Reason? Not all corals from our tanks and lighting will look the same when they are in your tanks. Everybody's tanks have different lighting setups, spectrums, combinations, etc. Aquatic Connection's tanks are lit by 400 watt 20K Halide bulbs. We use this combination for best growth. But for best viewing this is not the best lighting choice. Aquatic Connection photographs all polyps under Actinic only lighting. This brings out the true zoanthilia and protopalythoa colors. If your tank consists of all daylight (10K's, 14K's etc.) with minimal actinic lighting, your not going to see the vibrant true colors. We suggest you add true actinic lamps also and turn these on in the evening without the daylight lighting for proper color viewing.