Bicolor Anthias (Pseudanthias bicolor) Care Guide
Pseudanthias bicolor, a synonym of Nemanthias bicolor, is an Indo-Pacific anthias of lagoon patch reefs and outer reef slopes.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pseudanthias bicolor (Randall, 1979) is the bicolor anthias, a small reef fish. FishBase and Wikipedia list the species under the genus Nemanthias, with Pseudanthias bicolor and Mirolabrichthys bicolor as synonyms. It reaches a maximum total length of about 13 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Serranidae (Anthiadidae in FishBase)
- Genus: Pseudanthias
- Scientific name: Pseudanthias bicolor (Randall, 1979)
- Accepted name: Nemanthias bicolor (Randall, 1979)
Habitat
FishBase and Wikipedia record an Indo-Pacific distribution from Mauritius and Reunion to the Hawaiian and Line Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to the Loyalty Islands and northeastern Australia. It is a relatively uncommon inhabitant of lagoon patch reefs and outer reef slopes, found in small groups above coral outcrops or near crevices and ledges, often where currents are strong, at depths of about 5 to 68 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L (about 106 gal) (KB record)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness range (record): 8-12 °dGH
- School size: at least 5 individuals (KB record)
- Lifespan: 4-10 years (KB record)
Diet
According to FishBase and Wikipedia the species feeds on zooplankton in the water column. Frequent small feedings suit this planktivorous habit in aquaria.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, mid-water schooling species. Suitable companions include tangs, wrasses, clownfish and Genicanthus angelfish, while aggressive damselfish and triggerfish should be avoided.
Breeding
Wikipedia reports that the species is a protogynous hermaphrodite living in social groups with one dominant male, females and juveniles. When the dominant male dies, the largest female changes sex. Males have two yellow-tipped filaments at the dorsal fin origin used for display.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed 10 March 2015. FishBase lists it as of no interest to fisheries but of commercial value in the aquarium trade.
Pseudanthias bicolor Breeding Guide
Overview
Pseudanthias bicolor is an Indo-Pacific anthias of the family Serranidae that feeds on zooplankton and lives in haremic shoals. It reproduces by broadcast spawning into the open water column. Notably, the bicolor anthias is among the species whose larvae have been captive-raised from eggs collected in plankton nets, though only within dedicated facilities.
Sexing
This anthias is protogynous: fish begin as females and the dominant female changes into a male if the resident male is lost. Harems consist of one dominant, colourful male with two to twelve females and up to two subdominant males. Males display the dramatic two-tone pattern, yellow above and magenta below, that distinguishes the species.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The dominant male courts harem females with acrobatic U-swim displays before paired ascents into the water column release gametes. Aquaculture observations on related anthias place spawning near dusk, with buoyant eggs floating at the surface that are gathered using an evening egg collector or plankton net rather than from a nest.
Egg & Fry Care
The eggs are pelagic and hatch into tiny planktonic larvae. In documented work, bicolor anthias larvae were among those reared on copepods, with larvae proving durable when fed appropriately and settling into juveniles roughly a month after hatching. Home reefs cannot replicate the floating egg stage or the continuous live-plankton feeding these larvae require.
Common Challenges
Even though the bicolor anthias is one of only a few anthias to be aquacultured, that success belongs to institutional hatcheries. Wild-caught stock still needs expert quarantine and conditioning to survive, so reproducing the achievement in a home aquarium is not realistic.