Waitei Anthias
(Luzonichthys waitei)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 3″
Color Form: Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Fiji
Family: Serranidae
Swim Level: Middle

The Waitei Anthias, also known as the Magenta Slender Anthias, occurs in large numbers among relatively deep water (65ft and greater) reefs in nature. They have a very slender body that is magenta in color with yellow fins. Their caudal fin is split, and some refer to anthias of the Luzonichthys genus as splitfins. The anthias within this genus do not differ in coloration between the male and female, making them difficult to distinguish. They are a very peaceful, and at times a shy fish, that will not harm other fish or invertebrates in the home aquarium.

An ideal aquarium for the Waitei Anthias is a 70-gallon or larger marine aquarium with plenty of live rock for feeding and hiding. These anthias will not harm invertebrates and are well suited for any type of reef aquarium. They enjoy being in numbers of 5 or more which seem to give them a sense of security. Do not house these anthias with aggressive or overactive fish, as this will more than likely cause them to seclude themselves.

Anthias species all share the trait of being hermaphroditic. If a dominant male perishes, the largest female of the group will often morph to take its place. Although because of the similarities in coloration, it is difficult to tell the difference between the sexes.

The Waitei Anthias needs to be fed a variety of meaty items including brine and mysis shrimp, chopped fish, frozen plankton and zooplankton. It may be necessary to offer them live foods such as live brine shrimp or freshwater ghost shrimp to begin feeding.

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Ventralis Anthias
(Pseudanthias ventralis)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 3″
Color Form: Orange, Purple, Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Cook Islands, Melanesia
Family: Serranidae

One of the more difficult Anthias varieties to keep, the Ventralis Anthias, also known as the Longfin Anthias or Rainbow Fairy Basslet, does well when kept alone and requires a 30 gallon tank. Males tend to fight and may harass females unless the tank is large - 50 gallons. The male’s body is purple to reddish pink, with yellow fins and yellow markings on the face. The female is a dark orange-brown.

Members of the Anthias group all share the trait of being hermaphroditic. If a dominant male perishes, the largest female of the group will often morph to take its place.

The Ventralis Anthias does best in low-to-moderate indirect lighting on a diet of zooplankton and floating filamentous algae.

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Randall’s Anthias
(Pseudanthias randalli)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 3″
Color Form: Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Cebu
Family: Serranidae
Swim Level: Top to Middle

Male Randall’s Anthias’ become striped in red and magenta while females will have a yellow nose. Randall’s Anthias does best when kept in a species-specific tank of at least 125 gallons for a group. Males are best kept alone with several females, or singly. This Anthias dwells toward the bottom of the tank and appreciates the availability of several hiding places.

Anthias species all share the trait of being hermaphroditic. If a dominant male perishes, the largest female of the group will often morph to take its place.

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. They prefer to be fed small quantities, several times daily.

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Hawaiian Fancy Bicolor Anthias
(Pseudanthias bicolor)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 5″
Color Form: Purple, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Hawaii
Family: Serranidae
Reproduction: Egg Layer
Swim Level: All

The Hawaiian Fancy Bicolor Anthias originates from the pristine waters of Hawaii, where they form massive schools among the reefs. The males have a more intense coloration with a violet body and yellow running along the back through the upper caudal lobe. The females tend to be lavender in color with a yellow back and caudal fin. The dorsal fin of the male is edged in purple, and the first ray is elongated. These are one of the hardier of the Anthias and make a wonderful addition to the saltwater reef or fish only aquarium.

The Hawaiian Fancy Bicolor Anthias does best when kept with its own species in an aquarium of at least 70 gallons, but is also a beautiful fish for the fish only, invertebrate or reef aquarium. The Anthias dwell in the middle of the aquarium, but appreciates the availability of several hiding places. These fish should not be kept with aggressive fish that will cause them to become withdrawn from the rest of the community.

Anthias species all share the trait of being hermaphroditic. If a dominant male perishes, the largest female of the group will often morph to take its place.

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Fathead Sunburst Anthias
(Serranocirrhitus latus)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 4″
Color Form: Blue, Orange, Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Indo-Pacific, Vanuatu
Family: Serranidae
Swim Level: Bottom

The Fathead Sunburst Anthias also known as Fathead Anthias, is a colorful fish, predominantly pink, with heavy yellow-to-orange scale margins and facial markings. Pectoral and anal fins are fringed in blue.

The Fathead Sunburst Anthias prefers to live at the bottom of the tank, so the deeper the better, but still maintain plenty of surface area for proper water oxygenation. An environment of low-to-moderate light with lots of hiding places is ideal. It is best housed with peaceful tankmates such as gobies. If keeping more than one, it is ideal to introduce all anthias at the same time.

Anthias species all share the trait of being hermaphroditic. If a dominant male perishes, the largest female of the group will often morph to take its place.

The diet in the wild primarily consists of zooplankton and floating filamentous algae. In the aquarium, it should be fed mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, frozen preparations and other meaty items for zooplankton feeders. The Fathead Sunburst Anthias should be fed 2-4 times daily.

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