Hawaiian Longfin Anthias

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Eastern Central Pacific: endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll. Inhabits deep outer reefs and channels exposed to strong marine currents at depths of 25 to 150 meters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the subfamily Anthiadinae. Features a slender body with highly elongated dorsal and anal fins in adult males, and a lyre-shaped tail. Reaches approximately 10 cm.

Social Behavior: Peaceful, active reef swimmer forming large schools led by a dominant male. Protogynous hermaphrodite: females can change sex to maintain harem structure.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Males are bright orange-red with violet highlights and a yellow dorsal fin with orange filaments. Females are more uniform yellow-orange. Marked dimorphism.

Aquarium Setup: Requires a well-established tank of at least 280 liters with strong currents. Provide live rock arranged to form caves and shaded overhangs. A tight-fitting lid is mandatory.

Diet and Feeding: Planctivorous carnivore. Requires enriched fine frozen foods (mysis, copepods, brine shrimp, calanus) fed at least 3 times daily.

Water Quality: Keep parameters stable. Temperature 22-26°C (avoid high tropical temperatures). pH 8.1-8.4, salinity SG 1.020-1.026. GH 15-25.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: 100% reef safe. Ideal for reef tanks with hard corals. Best kept in groups consisting of one male and 3-4 females. Avoid aggressive tankmates.

Aquarium Breeding: Very difficult and not successfully documented long-term in aquaria due to planktonic larval needs.

Risks and Diseases: Highly susceptible to external parasites (marine ich, velvet) and wasting disease due to inadequate feeding frequency.