Redbar Anthias (Pseudanthias parvirostris) Care Guide
Pseudanthias parvirostris is a small, deep-water Indo-West Pacific anthias that forms harems on outer reef slopes.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pseudanthias parvirostris (Randall & Lubbock, 1981) is a small marine fish of the anthias group, originally described as Anthias parvirostris. FishBase records a maximum standard length of 7.5 cm and lists the species under the genus Pyronotanthias. It is a reef-associated, deep-water species that is rarely seen because of its small size and depth.
Taxonomy
- Family: Serranidae (Anthiadidae in FishBase)
- Genus: Pseudanthias
- Scientific name: Pseudanthias parvirostris (Randall & Lubbock, 1981)
- Recombination: Pyronotanthias parvirostris (FishBase)
Habitat
According to FishBase and Wikipedia the species is distributed across the Indo-West Pacific, from Japan south to Australia, west to the Maldives and east to the Solomon Islands. It occurs on outer reef slopes at depths of 35 to 65 m, most commonly below 40 m, where it forms small aggregations close to sand or rubble substrates on patch reefs.
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
The KB record classifies this species as a carnivore. Like other anthias of its group it is a planktivore that feeds in the water column; frequent small feedings are recommended in aquaria, consistent with the high feeding frequency noted in the record.
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 describes the species as a protogynous hermaphrodite living in harems with a dominant male guarding several females. When the dominant male is lost, the most dominant female changes sex, transitioning in colour over about two weeks.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed 12 March 2015. FishBase lists the species as of no interest to fisheries.
Pseudanthias parvirostris Breeding Guide
Overview
Pseudanthias parvirostris is an Indo-Pacific anthias in the family Serranidae that takes zooplankton over the reef and lives within social harems. It reproduces as a broadcast spawner, scattering eggs into the open water column, so its early life stages are not bound to any tank surface.
Sexing
As a protogynous hermaphrodite, this anthias matures first as a female; if the dominant male is removed, the largest female changes sex to take over the harem. Groups consist of one dominant, vividly coloured male with two to twelve females and up to two subdominant males. Males show a stronger red horizontal bar on a pinkish body than females.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The dominant male courts harem females with acrobatic U-swim displays, followed by paired ascents into the water column where eggs and sperm are released. Aquaculture observations on related anthias place spawning near dusk and describe buoyant eggs floating at the surface, recoverable only with an evening egg collector.
Egg & Fry Care
The eggs are pelagic and hatch into minute planktonic larvae that feed within the plankton. Where related Pseudanthias were reared, copepods served as larval food and juveniles settled around a month post-hatch. A home reef cannot reproduce these stages, since neither the floating eggs nor the live-plankton larval diet can be sustained outside a hatchery.
Common Challenges
Anthias aquaculture has worked for only a handful of species and only in institutional settings. Wild specimens, including this uncommon anthias, also need expert quarantine and conditioning to feed and survive, so home breeding is not a realistic objective.