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Yellow-spotted Anthias
Pseudanthias flavoguttatus
A stunning and delicate deepwater Anthias species, easily recognizable by its rows of bright yellow spots and distinct reddish-pink bands.
Water Temperature
21 - 25 °C
pH Value
8.1 - 8.4
Water type
Marine
Tank level
Bottom and middle
Adult size
10 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 250 L
Minimum group
>= 3
GH
15 - 25 dGH
KH
8 - 12 dKH
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Restricted to the Western Pacific Ocean: from southern Japan to the Philippines, Palau, and eastern Indonesia. Found exclusively on deep outer reef slopes, between 30 and 100 meters, near rocky overhangs.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the family Serranidae. A small anthias species, reaching about 10 cm in total length. Body is slender with a moderately two-lobed caudal fin.
Social Behavior: Extremely shy and timid. Lives in small, scattered groups and prefers to stay close to deep crevices or caves to retreat immediately at any sign of danger.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Reddish-pink ground color with yellow stripes and longitudinal rows of small, bright yellow dots on the flanks. Adult males display brighter stripes and elongated pelvic and anal fins compared to females.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Needs a tank of at least 250 liters with abundant rockwork to create deep caves, crevices, and shaded overhangs. Lighting must be dim or highly shaded. A tight lid is strictly required.
Diet and Feeding: Highly demanding zooplanktivore. Feed 3-4 times daily with small frozen or live foods: copepods, cyclops, newly hatched brine shrimp, and mini mysis. May initially refuse non-living food.
Water Quality: Demands pristine water quality and cooler temperatures (21-25°C / 70-77°F) as it does not tolerate high heat. pH 8.1-8.4, salinity SG 1.020-1.026. GH 15-25. A well-sized skimmer is essential.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: 100% reef safe. Must be kept with small and extremely peaceful tankmates (e.g. small gobies, firefish). Avoid aggressive or fast-swimming species like surgeonfishes, which will scare them away.
Aquarium Breeding: Protogynous hermaphrodite. Captive reproduction is unknown due to acclimation challenges and pelagic larval phase.
Risks and Diseases: Very high risk of starvation if housed with fast-feeding competitors. Susceptible to bacterial skin infections and parasites under stress from bright lighting.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Restricted to the Western Pacific Ocean: from southern Japan to the Philippines, Palau, and eastern Indonesia. Found exclusively on deep outer reef slopes, between 30 and 100 meters, near rocky overhangs.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsSouth and Southeast AsiaEast Asia
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- The temperament of Pseudanthias flavoguttatus 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
- Carnivore
- In the wild, Pseudanthias flavoguttatus 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
- 3-5 years
- The Yellow-spotted Anthias typically lives for 3 to 5 years in a home aquarium under optimal care conditions. To maximize their lifespan, it is essential to maintain stable water parameters, low stress, and a continuous supply of nutritious food. Due to their deep-water origin, keeping the water temperature cooler and the lighting dim also contributes significantly to their longevity.
- 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 10.2 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic link follows a synonym to the FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) record for Pyronotanthias flavoguttatus (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 flavoguttatus 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
- Medium
- Pseudanthias flavoguttatus 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 flavoguttatus 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 flavoguttatus 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 flavoguttatus 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
- Peaceful
- This species is generally considered completely reef safe and makes a stunning addition to mixed reef aquariums. Pseudanthias flavoguttatus 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
- Middle/Bottom
- Throughout the day, Pseudanthias flavoguttatus 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
- 3.4 ± 0.45 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.502
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.01413, b = 3
- 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.
