Bartlett's Anthias

[edit] Overview

Anthias are undeniable eye-catchers in the marine aquarium, with beautiful coloration, a habit of swimming constantly in the open water column, and a total disinterest in eating or harming corals or other invertebrates. This is one of the hardiest choices among the many anthias that are collected.

[edit] Feeding

Carnivore; zooplankton feeder. Offer meaty foods such as frozen mysid shrimp, enriched adult brine shrimp, squid or marine plankton at least three times a day. Regularly include color-­enhancing foods in its diet to ensure that it maintains its glorious ­colors.

[edit] Aquarium Compatibility

While groups of anthias make showy additions to the reef tank, it is important to add just one male and to keep them in groups of six or more (e.g. five females and one male). Add all individuals at once. May be bullied by larger, more aggressive species (dottybacks, hawkfishes, damselfishes). It may pick on diminutive zooplankton-feeders in a smaller tank.

[edit] Breeding/Propagation

Egg scatterers that produce pelagic eggs, often in midwater mating rituals. Both eggs and larvae that drift with plankton in the water column and settle back onto a reef at about the time of metamorphosis. These are among the most challenging types of marine fishes to propagate in captivity.

[edit] Notes

A ­dominant female may eventually transform into a male.

Category: Species