Randall's Anthias (Pseudanthias randalli) Care Guide
Pseudanthias randalli is a western Pacific anthias of deep drop-offs and channel walls, found in small groups.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pseudanthias randalli (Lubbock & Allen, 1978) is a reef anthias of the family Serranidae (subfamily Anthiinae). According to FishBase it reaches about 9.5 cm in total length and occurs in the western Pacific. It is found in small groups in caves or coral rubble areas along steep drop-offs and channel walls.
Taxonomy
- Family: Serranidae (subfamily Anthiinae)
- Genus: Pseudanthias
- Scientific name: Pseudanthias randalli (Lubbock & Allen, 1978)
- Note: FishBase places this species in family Anthiadidae
Habitat
FishBase records this species from the Pacific Ocean, from the Philippines to Niue and north to the Ryukyu Islands. It is benthopelagic and occurs in caves or coral rubble areas along steep drop-offs or channel walls at depths of 15 to 120 m, usually 15 to 70 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L (about 106 gal)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness range (record): 8-12 °dGH
- Group size: keep in groups (record suggests 5 or more)
- Lifespan: 4-10 years (KB record)
Diet
FishBase gives the species a trophic level of about 3.3, consistent with a carnivorous, zooplankton-based diet; Wikipedia notes that the genus Pseudanthias feeds on zooplankton. In aquaria it requires several small feedings of meaty planktonic foods per day.
Compatibility
Pseudanthias are haremic, active mid-water swimmers. According to Wikipedia the genus is haremic and protogynous, with fish developing first as females and the dominant individual changing into a male; FishBase notes that males of this species develop a slightly protruding upper lip and become striped in red and magenta. The KB record lists tangs, wrasses, clownfish and Genicanthus angelfish as suitable companions, while aggressive damsels and triggers are best avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in 2015. FishBase notes the species is used in both commercial fisheries and the aquarium trade.
Pseudanthias randalli Breeding Guide
Overview
Pseudanthias randalli is an Indo-Pacific anthias of the family Serranidae that feeds on zooplankton above the reef and lives in social harems. As with the rest of the genus, it reproduces by releasing eggs into open water, where fertilisation and early development happen far from any keepable surface.
Sexing
Randall's anthias is a protogynous hermaphrodite. Fish begin as females, and the largest female of a group will change into a male when the dominant male is gone. A harem usually comprises one colourful dominant male, two to twelve females, and up to two subdominant males. Males develop more intense colour, including a yellow tail accent over a pinkish body.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Courtship involves the dominant male performing rapid U-swim displays over the reef before rising with a female into the water column to spawn. Breeding records for related anthias indicate spawning peaks at dusk and yields buoyant eggs that drift at the surface, which hatcheries capture using an evening egg collector rather than any nest.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs float and hatch into planktonic larvae that feed within the open-water plankton. In hatchery programmes for related Pseudanthias, larvae accepted copepods and reached settled juveniles around thirty days after hatching. These steps lie beyond home capability, because both the pelagic egg stage and the live-plankton larval diet cannot be sustained in a reef display.
Common Challenges
Successful anthias aquaculture remains limited to a few species raised in institutional facilities. Wild-collected individuals additionally need expert quarantine and conditioning to feed and survive, so a hobbyist faces an unbroken series of obstacles long before any spawning could occur.