Care Level : Moderate
Temperament : Peaceful
Color : Pink, Yellow, Purple
Diet : Carnivore
Reef Compatible : Yes
Water Conditions : 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.0-8.4, sg 1.021-1.025
Max. Size : 3"
Origin : Indo-Pacific, Maldives, Solomon Islands
Family : Maldives
Minimum Tank Size : 70 gallons
A fish with many color variations, Sunset Anthias (Pseudanthias Parvirostris) is also known as a Shortsnout, Diadem.
The upper third of the body is yellowish in colour in males while the rest of the body is pinkish and there is a magenta stripe which runs between their eyes and from the upper margin of the eyes to the origin of the dorsal fin. The dorsal fin and lobes of the caudal fin are magenta. It grows to a maximum standard length of 7.5 centimetres (3.0 in).
They are pretty hardy and can be kept in a reef tank setting with plenty of live rock. Sunset Anthias generally stay in the middle levels of the tank, but also require plenty of caves, ledges, and other hiding places. A 70 gallon tank will suffice for one fish, if keeping a group of one male and several females, a 120 gallon tank or larger tank is needed. Cover the aquarium with netting, as Sunset Anthias are known to jump out when stressed.
They can be kept as a mated pair, or in a small school of females. Avoid keeping two males in the same tank, as it can lead to extreme aggression. Suitable tankmates for anthias would be peaceful fish that will not harass these docile fish or outcompete them for food. Anthias are Reef Safe and are not normally known to bother corals or invertebrates.
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. This species can change gender from female to male. When a male is needed, a female changes sex and takes on the role.
Once acclimated to a new aquarium, Anthias do best when fed a varied diet of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched frozen brine shrimp, and over time may eat high-quality flake foods offered in small quantities throughout the day. Diet should include a variety of a steady supply of copepods, frozen mysis and vitamin enriched brine shrimp, as well as high quality flake foods 3-5 times daily.
Size: 1-1/4" to 2-3/4"
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