Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
General Description: The Squareback Anthias is also known as the Squarespot, Purple Blotch Basslet, Squareblock, Square, or Mirror Anthias. Native to the Pacific with a range extending from Indonesia in the east, Samoa in the west, north to the Ryukyu Islands, and south to Rowley Shoals and New Caledonia, as well as throughout Micronesia. Males are predominantly pink with a lavender belly and have a lighter rectangular shape on the side. The body of the female is predominantly yellow with a lavender belly, and often a thin blue line extending from nose to pectoral fin. One of the larger Anthias species, adults can reach over 7 inches in length.
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: A 90 gallon tank will suffice for one fish, however, if keeping a group, a 200 gallon tank should be used since the Squareback Anthias appreciates plenty of room to swim. 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. They are semi-aggressive and may be kept in a reef tank setting with plenty of live rock. To best recreate a natural reef environment for the Squareback 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 2-1/2″ Medium: 2-3/4″ to 4″ Large: 4-1/4″ to 6″Â
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.Â
