Square Anthias - Pseudanthias pleurotaenia - Medium/Large Male
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Details
The Square Anthias (Pseudanthias pleurotaenia) is one of the largest, most popular and hardiest anthias available to the aquarium trade. The male has a bright purple square-shaped spot on its bright pink-orange body. The female is light orange with yellow fins and a pair of faint pink stripes that run from the cheek through the belly. They do best in tanks with dimmer lighting and either alone or in large groups (one male to five or more females).
Anthias are closely related to the often large and aggressive predators known collectively as Groupers but have much more peaceful temperaments. Within the Anthinnae subfamily, the temperament can still range from very passive and docile to downright bold but most are still peaceful compared to many of the other fish reputed to be "aggressive" and "territorial". Most anthias are shades of pink, red, orange and yellow; colors that help them blend in in the deeper waters many are found in. Size can also range between species but most anthias are under around 7-8 inches in length and the majority available in the aquarium trade are around 3-5 inches in length.
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.
These fish are best kept in small harems of one male to several juveniles or females. If the aquarium cannot handle a group of 5 or more fish, most anthias can be kept alone or occasionally in a male-female pair. Suitable tankmates for anthias would be peaceful fish that will not harass these docile fish or outcompete them for food. Stressed anthias have been known to jump from an aquarium. Anthias are Reef Safe and are not normally known to bother corals or invertebrates.
More information about the social structure and gender among anthias groups can be found on That Fish Blog from our staff marine biologists.
Specifications
Specifications | |
MPN | |
Manufacturer | That Fish Place |
Common Name | Square Anthias - Md/Lg Male |
Scientific Name | Pseudanthias pleurotaenia |
Origin | Pacific |
Specific Gravity Range | 1.020-1.024 |
Reef Safe | Yes |
Invert Safe | Yes |
Max Size (in inches) | 7.5 |
Community Safe | Yes |
pH Range | 8.0-8.4 |
Diet | Planktivore |
Min Tank Size (in gallons) | 75 |
Temperature Range | 75-82 |
Difficulty | Moderate |
Internal Id | 57626 |
State Restrictions |
Alaska |
Armed Forces Americas |
Armed Forces Europe |
Armed Forces Pacific |
California |
Hawaii |
Puerto Rico |