Yellowback Anthias

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Distributed in the tropical Indian Ocean, from East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) to the Cocos-Keeling Islands, Maldives, and Chagos. Inhabits seaward reefs exposed to strong currents at depths of 4 to 30 meters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the Serranidae family. Grows to a maximum length of 12 cm (4.7 inches). Features a slender body and a deeply forked tail.

Social Behavior: Peaceful and strictly schooling. Aggregates in large numbers in the wild to feed on zooplankton and needs conspecifics to acclimate in captivity.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Stunning color pattern: bright lavender-purple body with a sulfur-yellow back and caudal fin. Features an orange-pink cheek stripe. Dominant males display brighter colors and longer tail filaments.

Aquarium Setup: Requires a mature system of at least 400 liters with robust filtration, strong current, and extensive open swimming space. Rockwork must provide shelter. Must be kept covered.

Diet and Feeding: Obligate planktivore. Needs feeding 3 to 4 times daily with small frozen foods like copepods, cyclops, lobster eggs, and baby brine shrimp. Hard to acclimate to dry foods.

Water Quality: High water quality and high oxygenation are critical: temperature 24-26°C (75-79°F), pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.022-1.025, GH 15-25, and KH 8-12.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: 100% reef-safe. Keep in groups of 5 or more with one male. Avoid aggressive or fast-swimming competitors that will steal food or cause stress.

Aquarium Breeding: Unrecorded in captive aquaria. Proterogynous pelagic spawners.

Risks and Diseases: Starvation is a major risk during acclimation. Susceptible to marine ich and bacterial infections under stress.