Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
General Description: The Stocky Anthias makes a colorful addition to the fish-only, invertebrate, or reef aquarium. Native to the Indo-Pacific ranging from the Maldives to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to the Great Barrier Reef. As its name suggests, this Anthias is slightly broader and shorter in body shape. Males exhibit a light orange back, yellow lines, and a cream-colored underside. Females are smaller, more lightly colored, and tend to have shorter fins. They can reach an adult size of approximatly 7 inches.
Diet Requirements: In the wild Anthias feed on zooplankton and occur in areas with strong currents such as reef faces, slopes, drop off zones. In the aquarium they do best when fed a varied diet of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched frozen brine shrimp, and over time may begin to feed upon high-quality flake foods and pellets offered in small quantities throughout the day.Â
Care Requirements: One of the larger Anthias species, the Stocky Anthias does best when kept with its own species in a tank of at least 125 gallons. In their natural habitat, Anthias inhabit well-protected reefs of lagoons and bays. In the home aquarium, Anthias typically dwells in the middle of a tank but appreciates the availability of several hiding places. They make a beautiful addition to the active fish-only marine aquarium as well as the mixed reef aquarium. To best recreate a natural reef environment for the Stocky Anthias aquascape with a generous amount of live rock and create slopes, caves, and overhangs for an interesting and diverse reef aquarium landscape. They are considered reef safe and will not bother coral or other invertebrates. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/2″ to 2-1/4″ Medium: 2-1/4″ to 4″ Large: 4″ to 6″
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.Â
