FishMarineIntermediate
©AI Generated·Proprietary
Peach fairy basslet
Pseudanthias dispar
A highly active and stunning schooling marine fish displaying delicate peach, pink, and orange hues, ideal for large mature reef tanks.
Water Temperature
24 - 27 °C
pH Value
8.1 - 8.4
Water type
Marine
Tank level
Surface and middle
Adult size
10 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 380 L
Minimum group
>= 5
GH
15 - 25 dGH
KH
8 - 12 dKH
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Pseudanthias dispar is native to the tropical Indo-West Pacific, extending from Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Line Islands, north to the Yaeyama Islands of Japan, and south to the Great Barrier Reef and Fiji. It inhabits outer reef slopes, drop-offs, and shallow reef crests exposed to strong currents, at depths ranging from 1 to 15 meters. They aggregate in large multi-species schools above branching corals like Acropora.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Classified under the family Serranidae, subfamily Anthiadinae. It features a slender, streamlined, and laterally compressed body typical of fairy basslets. Adults reach a maximum length of about 9-10 cm. The dorsal fin has a distinct shape, especially in males, where the first few spines are prolonged. Its mouth is small, lined with tiny recurved teeth designed to grab passing zooplankton.
Social Behavior: This species exhibits highly gregarious and haremic social behavior. They live in structured groups consisting of one dominant male and a harem of several females. If the dominant male dies, the largest and most dominant female undergoes a protogynous sex reversal, changing into a male within a few weeks to preserve the social structure and territory.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Sexual dimorphism is highly pronounced. Males feature a bright orange-pink body color, a vivid red dorsal fin, and a prominent red stripe extending from the eye to the base of the pectoral fin. Females are simpler, showing a uniform soft peach or yellowish-pink coloration with a lighter underbelly. The caudal fin of the male is deeply forked with reddish tips.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: A mature marine aquarium of at least 300 liters is required to house a small harem (1 male and 4-5 females). The setup must provide ample open swimming space in the upper water column and a detailed aquascape of live rock with numerous caves and shaded crevices where they can retreat if startled. Strong water movement is necessary to simulate reef currents.
Diet and Feeding: They are strict zooplanktivores with high metabolic rates and small stomachs. Consequently, they must be fed small amounts multiple times a day (at least 3-4 times). Offer a variety of small, meaty frozen foods such as copepods, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and lobster eggs. Getting them to accept dry foods like micro-pellets requires patience.
Water Quality: Demands pristine water quality with high oxygen levels. Keep water parameters stable: temperature 24-27 °C, pH 8.1-8.4, and specific gravity 1.022-1.025. Nitrates and phosphates should be kept close to zero. An efficient protein skimmer and wavemakers mimicking natural reef current variations are highly recommended.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Extremely peaceful reef-safe species that will not harm corals or invertebrates. Do not house with large, predatory, or aggressive fish (like lionfish or large aggressive tangs) that might harass or consume them. Excellent tankmates include peaceful gobies, blennies, clownfish, and other peaceful anthias. Only one male per tank to prevent fighting.
Aquarium Breeding: Breeding in home aquariums is exceptionally difficult. They are protogynous hermaphrodites. Spawning occurs in groups or pairs at dusk, accompanied by the male's vibrant courtship displays. The eggs are pelagic and float in the water column. Rearing the microscopic larvae requires complex live plankton cultures which are rarely successful at home.
Risks and Diseases: The primary risk is starvation due to inadequate feeding frequency. They are sensitive to shipping stress, bacterial infections, and marine ich (Cryptocaryon irritans), especially when introduced into new systems. A dedicated quarantine period is highly advised to acclimate them and ensure they are feeding well before reef introduction.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Pseudanthias dispar is native to the tropical Indo-West Pacific, extending from Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Line Islands, north to the Yaeyama Islands of Japan, and south to the Great Barrier Reef and Fiji. It inhabits outer reef slopes, drop-offs, and shallow reef crests exposed to strong currents, at depths ranging from 1 to 15 meters. They aggregate in large multi-species schools above branching corals like Acropora.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsSouth and Southeast Asia
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- The temperament of Pseudanthias dispar is generally peaceful towards completely unrelated fish, making them wonderful community residents. However, they establish a strict pecking order within their own group, which can involve some chasing and posturing. The dominant male will frequently display to the females to maintain his status and keep the harem in line. While usually harmless, this internal squabbling requires adequate space and hiding spots for subordinate individuals. They should not be housed with overly aggressive predators that might bully or consume them.
- Diet
- Planktivore
- In the wild, Pseudanthias dispar is a dedicated zooplanktivore that constantly picks tiny organisms from the water column. In the home aquarium, they require a varied diet consisting of high-quality frozen or live meaty foods. Suitable options include mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, and finely chopped seafood. Getting them to accept dry prepared foods like high-quality flakes or small pellets can take time and patience. A diverse nutritional profile is crucial for maintaining their vibrant coloration and immune health.
- Life expectancy
- 5-6 years
- The Dispar Anthias has a life expectancy in the aquarium of about 5 to 6 years when kept in a well-maintained reef environment. The chemical and physical stability of the water and low stress levels are key determinants for its long-term survival. Proper daily nutrition prevents wasting and the onset of infections. Specimens housed in unstable tanks or with dominant tank mates tend to have a significantly reduced lifespan.
- Adult size
- 10 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 10 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 9.5 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). The taxonomic link follows a synonym to the FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) record for Nemanthias dispar (v25.04); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- Harem
- This species exhibits a fascinating social structure characterized by protogynous hermaphroditism, where all individuals are born female. A typical group consists of a single dominant male maintaining a harem of several females. If the dominant male is removed or dies, the largest and most dominant female will morph into a male to take his place. For the home aquarium, it is best to purchase a group of females and allow this natural transition to occur. Keeping multiple males usually results in fatal aggression unless the tank is massive.
- Feeding frequency
- 3-4 times daily
- Due to their incredibly active metabolism and natural grazing behavior, Pseudanthias dispar requires multiple feedings throughout the day. It is highly recommended to feed them small amounts at least three to four times daily. Infrequent, large feedings are poorly digested and can lead to malnutrition or starvation over time. Automated feeders can be very useful for dispensing small amounts of dry food while the aquarist is away. Consistent, frequent meals are the key to long-term success with this species.
- Bioload
- Pseudanthias dispar contributes a moderate amount to the overall bioload of a marine aquarium system. Due to their highly active nature and constant swimming, they require frequent feedings which indirectly increases the organic waste produced. Excellent filtration and regular water changes are strongly recommended to process these nutrients. Maintaining a robust protein skimmer will help manage the dissolved organics effectively. Proper husbandry ensures that the bioload remains manageable over the long term.
- Flow
- Strong
- This species originates from dynamic reef environments where strong water movement is a constant factor. Pseudanthias dispar thrives in aquariums that provide moderate to strong, turbulent water flow across the aquascape. Brisk currents simulate their natural habitat and encourage their natural schooling and feeding behaviors in the water column. Powerheads or wavemakers should be positioned to create broad, sweeping flow patterns rather than harsh, direct streams. Adequate flow also keeps particulate food suspended longer, giving them more time to feed.
- Jump risk
- Yes
- Like many highly active reef fishes, Pseudanthias dispar presents a moderate to high risk of jumping out of an open aquarium. They are easily startled by sudden movements, lighting changes, or aggressive tank mates, which can trigger a flight response. It is strongly advised to keep a tight-fitting lid or a custom mesh screen over the tank at all times. Even small gaps around equipment and overflow boxes should be covered to prevent tragic accidents. Taking these precautions is a simple but vital part of their husbandry.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Pseudanthias dispar in a home aquarium is exceptionally rare and presents significant challenges for even advanced hobbyists. They are pelagic spawners that release their eggs and sperm into the water column during synchronized mating rituals. The resulting larvae are microscopic and require highly specialized, perfectly sized live planktonic foods to survive. Furthermore, the larval stage is extremely long and sensitive to minute changes in water quality. Consequently, nearly all specimens available in the trade are wild-caught rather than captive-bred.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Reef safe
- This species is generally considered completely reef safe and makes a stunning addition to mixed reef aquariums. Pseudanthias dispar will typically ignore corals, sessile invertebrates, and most motile invertebrates like ornamental shrimp. They are generally peaceful towards heterospecifics but can display significant aggression towards other Anthias species. It is usually best to keep them as the only Anthias species in the tank unless the aquarium is exceptionally large. Careful observation is needed when introducing new tank mates to ensure harmony.
- Tank level
- Top/Middle
- Throughout the day, Pseudanthias dispar will predominantly occupy the middle to upper levels of the water column. They are highly visible fish that love to hover above the reef structure, facing into the current to catch passing food. At night or when frightened, they will quickly dart into the rockwork to seek shelter in crevices and caves. Providing plenty of open swimming space alongside complex rock formations is essential for their comfort. Their active presence brings a wonderful sense of movement and life to the upper reef zones.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 3.3 ± 0.4 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5312
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.01288, b = 3.02
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
