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.

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

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Due to its unique color variation, the Squareback Anthias is also known as the Squarespot, Purple Blotch Basslet, Squareblock, Square, or Mirror Anthias. The body of the female is predominantly yellow with a lavender belly, and often a thin blue line extending from nose to pectoral fin. Males are predominantly pink with a lavender belly and have a lighter rectangular shape on the side.

This variety of Anthias does best in an aquarium with low, indirect lighting or its brilliant colors will fade. Although preferring to remain at the mid-tank level, they have been found at depths up to 600 feet in the wild. A 25 gallon tank will suffice for one fish, however, if keeping a group, a 125 gallon tank should be used since the Squareback Anthias appreciates plenty of room to swim.

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 Anthias does best when fed twice a day and does well on a diet of baby livebearers, frozen and live brine shrimp, and sometimes will eat flake food.

Quick Stats:
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4, dKH 8-12
Max. Size: 4″
Color Form: Orange, Purple, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Coral Sea, Fiji, Indo-Pacific
Family: Serranidae

Note: This profile is currently incomplete. Description and/or images are temporarily taken from LiveAquaria and will be replaced shortly. If you are interested in writing a new description, please contact me at info@myfishtank.net. If you have any experience with this particular fish, please leave a comment below and share with us.

A fish with many color variations, Parvirostris Anthias is also known as a Shortsnout, Diadem, or Sunset Anthias. One of the more common color variations is predominantly yellow highlighted with red on the anal and caudal fins. In the wild, Shortsnouts are often found in schools, swimming at depths of 200 feet and so do well in an aquarium with similar tank mates.

Parviostris generally stay in the middle levels of the tank, but also require plenty of caves, ledges, and other hiding places. Although a 25 gallon tank will suffice for one fish, if keeping a group of one male and several females, a 125 gallon tank or larger tank is needed.

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.

Shortsnouts do well given a diet of seafood, frozen, and flake foods with lots of variety.

Quick Stats:
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4, dKH 8-12
Max. Size: 4″
Color Form: Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Maldives
Family: Serranidae

Note: This profile is currently incomplete. Description and/or images are temporarily taken from LiveAquaria and will be replaced shortly. If you are interested in writing a new description, please contact me at info@myfishtank.net. If you have any experience with this particular fish, please leave a comment below and share with us.

The Maldives Lyretail Anthias is also known as the Scalefin. The males have reddish hues, while the females tend to be more orange. They are active and help to draw out shier fish that share the tank with them.

The Maldives Lyretail 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. The Anthias dwells in the middle of a tank but 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.

Quick Stats:
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4, dKH 8-12
Max. Size: 5″
Color Form: Orange, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Maldives
Family: Serranidae

Note: This profile is currently incomplete. Description and/or images are temporarily taken from LiveAquaria and will be replaced shortly. If you are interested in writing a new description, please contact me at info@myfishtank.net. If you have any experience with this particular fish, please leave a comment below and share with us.

The Ignitus Anthias from the Maldives is also appropriately called the Flame Anthias. Gorgeous gradations of fiery reds, bold oranges, and vibrant yellows of the Ignitus Anthias add color and vitality to the FOWLR or reef aquarium.

The Ignitus 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 Ignitus Anthias will predominantly occupy the middle of the aquarium, but appreciates the availability of several hiding places. Anthias should not be kept with aggressive fish or they 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. When courting, the coloration of the male Ignitus Anthias intensifies greatly and the bright red dorsal fin is held in an upright fashion.

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, small quantities of food several times per day.

Quick Stats:
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4, dKH 8-12
Max. Size: 3″
Color Form: Orange, Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Maldives
Family: Serranidae

Note: This profile is currently incomplete. Description and/or images are temporarily taken from LiveAquaria and will be replaced shortly. If you are interested in writing a new description, please contact me at info@myfishtank.net. If you have any experience with this particular fish, please leave a comment below and share with us.

The Highfin Perchlet is a rare find from the rubble zones of Cebu. They are within the Anthiinae subfamily along with many species of Anthias. However, the Highfin Perchlets within the genus Plectranthias resemble hawkfishes more than Anthias. Their bodies are elongated with a high third dorsal spine followed by a banner-like flap. They are mottled in orange and white, and have very interesting green eyes. They feed upon zooplankton, and are a wonderful addition to a reef aquarium.

The Highfin Perchlet is a reef inhabitant in the wild, occurring within the rubble zones and often found among plate corals (Fungia sp.). They require a saltwater aquarium of at least 30 gallons with plenty of live rock for hiding and feeding. They may become aggressive towards other bottom dwelling fish like gobies and blennies.

The Highfin Perchlet’s natural diet includes zooplankton, and they should be offered a variety of meaty foods including; vitamin enriched brine shrimp, mysis shrimp and small pieces of shrimp and fish

Quick Stats:
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4, dKH 8-12
Max. Size: 2″
Color Form: Orange, White
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Cebu
Family: Serranidae

Note: This profile is currently incomplete. Description and/or images are temporarily taken from LiveAquaria and will be replaced shortly. If you are interested in writing a new description, please contact me at info@myfishtank.net. If you have any experience with this particular fish, please leave a comment below and share with us.