Livestock | Marine | Marine Fish | Anthias

Keeping Anthias in Marine Aquariums

Anthias are vibrant, colorful marine fish popular for their active swimming and striking hues. Known for their social behavior and dynamic colors, they add movement and life to community reef tanks. They require stable water conditions and proper care to thrive.

General Care Tips:

Anthias prefer stable marine water with temperatures between 74–79°F and a pH of 8.1–8.4. They need tanks of at least 70 gallons, with plenty of open swimming space and areas of live rock for shelter. Good water quality and moderate water flow help maintain their health and activity.

Feeding:

Anthias are planktivores, meaning they feed mainly on small zooplankton and other microscopic foods. In captivity, they thrive on frequent feedings of finely chopped meaty foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and specialized pelleted or frozen plankton-based diets. Feeding 2–3 times daily is recommended to support their high metabolism.

Compatibility and Behavior:

Anthias are peaceful and do well in community reef tanks with other non-aggressive species. They prefer to live in groups, which helps reduce stress and promotes natural behavior. Aggression can increase in inadequate group sizes. We typically sell anthias on a male to two female ratio instore.

Popular Anthias Species:

Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis): One of the most common species, known for bright orange color and active schooling behavior.

Dispar Anthias (Pseudanthias dispar): Slightly smaller, with a more subdued pinkish coloration.

Grouping Behavior:

Anthias are social fish that thrive best in groups, often consisting of one male and several females. In smaller tanks, keeping a single anthias can work, but they may exhibit more timid behavior. Group housing helps reduce stress and encourages natural schooling and mating behaviors.

Sex Change and Coloration:

Anthias are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning females can develop into males if the dominant male is removed or absent. This transformation includes changes in coloration and behavior, with males typically becoming brighter and more vibrant. This natural process is a fascinating aspect of anthias biology and social structure.

Summary:

Anthias are colorful, active, and social fish that bring dynamic life to marine aquariums. With proper group sizes, frequent feeding, and stable water conditions, they thrive and display their full range of stunning colors and natural behaviors.