Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
General Description: The Red Stripe Anthias are found in the Indo-Pacific. A very uncommon species within the aquarium trade, the Red stripe anthias has a yellow-orange body with a horizontal red stripe through the middle of its body. Juveniles will lack this stripe altogether, and age otherwise might affect how prominent this stripe appears. Anthias can be high maintenance [particularly at first] due to their environmental and dietary requirements (see sections below), however the Red stripe anthias is a more robust and relatively hardy species. Like all anthias species, the Red stripe anthias are hermaphroditic. This means that if the male of the group perishes, the dominant or largest female will change into a male to take its place. Male and female Red stripe anthias do not differ much in appearance; the red stripe in males may be more pronounced/colorful and wider. Unlike most other anthias species that require being kept in groups, the Red stripe anthias prefers to be solitary. An adult Red stripe anthias can grow to approximately 8″. Note: Anthias are known to be susceptible to bacterial and protozoan infections. Our rigorous 28 day quarantine process eliminates these concerns when you purchase anthias from Aquatics Unlimited.
Diet Requirements: In the wild anthias are zooplanktivores. This specific diet can be tricky to replicate, but an aquarium with a refugium that has a healthy population of copepods can greatly benefit your anthias. Additionally, a varied diet of high quality frozen foods such as brine shrimp, rotifers, calanus, mysis shrimp and other mixed preparations are important for best coloration, immune function and optimal health. We highly encourage soaking frozen foods in vitamin and fatty acid supplements given the activity level of anthias. Offering multiple, small feedings throughout the day can also be beneficial for maintaining anthias health and better replicate their natural feeding behaviors in the wild. Note: All of our anthias for sale are eating a combination of live foods and frozen foods, or frozen foods only. It is not uncommon for anthias to revert back to only accepting live foods for a period of time due to the stress of a new environment.
Care Requirements: An established minimum 125 gallon aquarium is ideal for a Red stripe anthias. Anthias require a set-up with live rock because it can provide some of the necessary microfauna to help keep them healthy. While anthias do spend the majority of their time in the open water column, they do appreciate some live rock slopes and overhangs to take refuge. Because Red stripe anthias come from high flow areas in the wild, they prefer similar water movement in the aquarium. It is generally advised to provide hefty filtration and a protein skimmer for an aquarium with anthias to keep water parameters pristine. Given their relatively peaceful nature, Red stripe anthias should not be kept with overly large and aggressive species. Compatability with other shoaling-type anthias species is unknown. Anthias make excellent reef inhabitants and would feel the most at home in this kind of setting; they will not bother coral or invertebrates. Once settled in and feeding well, the Red stripe anthias will surely be a center piece of your aquarium. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase Size: Medium: 2-1/4″ to 3-1/2″, Large: 4” to 6”
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.
