Anthias
Anthias are among the most colorful and active fish you can add to a reef aquarium. They belong to the family Serranidae and are often found in large shoals in the wild, swimming in mid-water columns around coral reefs. In an aquarium setting, Anthias require a spacious tank with plenty of swimming room and hiding spots. They thrive in well-oxygenated water with stable parameters.
One of the key considerations when keeping Anthias is their dietary needs. They are planktivores, meaning they primarily feed on plankton in the wild. Therefore, in captivity, they should be fed multiple times a day with a variety of small, meaty foods like brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and high-quality marine pellets. Anthias are also known for their complex social structures and are best kept in groups with a clear hierarchy. It's important to have a dominant male and several females to mimic their natural social setting.
Scientifically, Anthias are fascinating due to their sequential hermaphroditism. This means that individuals can change sex from female to male, which is a response to social cues such as the absence of a dominant male. This unique trait ensures the stability and continuity of their social structure in the wild.
Overall, Anthias are a vibrant and dynamic addition to a reef aquarium, offering both visual appeal and interesting behaviors. However, their care requirements mean they are best suited for intermediate to advanced aquarists.
Common name: Swallowtail SeaperchScientific name: Anthias anthias- Common name: Threadnose AnthiasScientific name: Choranthias tenuis
Common name: Earle's SplitfinScientific name: Luzonichthys earlei
Common name: Striped SplitfinScientific name: Luzonichthys taeniatus
Common name: Waite's SplitfinScientific name: Luzonichthys waitei
Common name: Whitley's SplitfinScientific name: Luzonichthys whitleyi
Common name: Threadfin AnthiasScientific name: Nemanthias carberryi
Common name: Borbonius AnthiasScientific name: Odontanthias borbonius- Common name: Hawaiian Yellow AnthiasScientific name: Odontanthias fuscipinnis
Common name: Pacific CreolefishScientific name: Paranthias colonus
Common name: Atlantic CreolefishScientific name: Paranthias furcifer
Common name: Fourmanoir's PerchletScientific name: Plectranthias fourmanoiri- Common name: Gardiner's AnthiasScientific name: Plectranthias gardineri
- Common name: Helena AnthiasScientific name: Plectranthias helenae
- Common name: Red blotched perchletScientific name: Plectranthias inermis
- Common name: SilverspotsScientific name: Plectranthias longimanus
- Common name: Bownband perchletScientific name: Plectranthias nanus
- Common name: Pelicier's PerchletScientific name: Plectranthias pelicieri
- Common name: Spotted perchletScientific name: Plectranthias wheeleri
- Common name: Redblotched bassletScientific name: Plectranthias winniensis
- Common name: YamakawaiScientific name: Plectranthias yamakawai
- Common name: Goldenback BassletScientific name: Pseudanthias aurulentus
Common name: Bartlett's AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias bartlettorum
Common name: Bicolor AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias bicolor- Common name: Two-spot bassletScientific name: Pseudanthias bimaculatus
- Common name: Carlson's AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias carlsoni
Common name: Red-bar AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias cooperi
Common name: Dispar AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias dispar
Common name: Evansi AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias evansi- Common name: One-stripe anthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias fasciatus
- Common name: Yellowtail CoralfishScientific name: Pseudanthias flavicauda
- Common name: Yellow-spotted anthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias flavoguttatus
- Common name: Hawaiian AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias hawaiiensis
- Common name: Orangehead anthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias heemstrai
- Common name: Hiva Fairy WrasseScientific name: Pseudanthias hiva
- Common name: Threadfin anthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias huchtii
- Common name: Hutomo's anthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias hutomoi
- Common name: Stocky anthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias hypselosoma
- Common name: Flame anthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias ignitus
- Common name: Lori's anthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias lori
- Common name: Yellow-lined anthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias luzonensis
- Common name: Sunburst AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias mooreanus
Common name: Olive AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias olivaceus
Common name: Sunset AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias parvirostris
Common name: Purple Queen AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias pascalus
Common name: Painted AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias pictilis
Common name: Squareback AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias pleurotaenia
Common name: Resplendent AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias pulcherrimus
Common name: Randall's AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias randalli
Common name: Regal AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias regalis
Common name: Redbelt AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias rubrizonatus
Common name: Shen's AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias sheni
Common name: Princess AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias smithvanizi
Common name: Lyretail AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias squamipinnis
Common name: Red Sea AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias taeniatus
Common name: Thompson's AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias thompsoni
Common name: Townsend's AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias townsendi
Common name: Purple AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias tuka
Common name: Longfin AnthiasScientific name: Pseudanthias ventralis
Common name: Eastern Flower PorgyScientific name: Zalanthias kelloggi