Resplendent Anthias

Resplendent Anthias provide a unique and beautiful addition to any home aquarium. They are generally quite peaceful, making them a great choice for community tanks. It is important to provide plenty of space for these fish to swim and hide, as they require plenty of caves, ledges, and other hiding places. A 70-gallon tank is suitable for one fish, however, if you are wanting to keep a group of one male and several females, a tank of 125 gallons or larger is strongly recommended. Additionally, to promote healthy behavior, it’s important to place several of these hiding places throughout the tank.

Anthias species are an interesting group of fish because all individuals share the trait of being hermaphroditic. This means that each fish has both male and female reproductive organs. If the dominant male of the group perishes, the largest female of the group will often morph to take its place. This is an amazing adaptation that allows the species to maintain a healthy, stable population. Furthermore, Anthias species have relatively short lifespans, typically living no more than two to three years. This creates a unique situation where the species is constantly evolving and adapting to its environment.

An Anthias will do best when fed a diet of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched frozen brine shrimp, and over time may eat high-quality flake foods offered in small quantities throughout the day. A refugium cultivating copepods and amphipods provides a steady supply of nutritious live food sure to keep this active planktivore content.