Truncated Anthias (Pseudanthias truncatus) Care Guide
Pseudanthias truncatus is a synonym of the stocky anthias Pseudanthias hypselosoma, an Indo-Pacific anthias of protected lagoon reefs.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pseudanthias truncatus (Katayama & Masuda, 1983) is treated by FishBase and the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) as an unaccepted synonym of the stocky anthias, Pseudanthias hypselosoma Bleeker, 1878. Under the accepted name FishBase records a maximum total length of 19 cm, with a common length of 15 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Serranidae (Anthiadidae in FishBase)
- Genus: Pseudanthias
- Scientific name: Pseudanthias truncatus (Katayama & Masuda, 1983)
- Accepted name (WoRMS): Pseudanthias hypselosoma Bleeker, 1878
Habitat
Under the accepted name, FishBase reports an Indo-Pacific distribution from the Maldives to Samoa, north to Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands and south to the Great Barrier Reef. It typically inhabits well-protected reefs of lagoons or bays at depths of 6 to 50 m, usually occurring in groups.
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
FishBase classifies the species as carnivorous, with a trophic level near 3.5. Like other anthias it feeds in the water column, and frequent small feedings are appropriate 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.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed 12 March 2015. FishBase lists the species for both commercial fisheries and the aquarium trade.
Pseudanthias truncatus Breeding Guide
Overview
Pseudanthias truncatus is an Indo-Pacific anthias in the family Serranidae that feeds on zooplankton over the reef and lives in haremic groups. As a broadcast spawner, it releases its eggs into the open water column, so the early life stages develop adrift rather than attached to any surface.
Sexing
The species is protogynous: all individuals mature first as females, and the dominant female becomes male when the resident male disappears. Social groups are harems of one dominant, colourful male, two to twelve females, and up to two subdominant males. Males are recognised by intensified colour and the squared, truncated tail that names the species.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Courtship involves the dominant male's acrobatic U-swim displays, followed by a male and female rising together into the water column to spawn. Aquaculture observations on related anthias place spawning near dusk, with buoyant eggs floating at the surface that are recovered only by an evening egg collector.
Egg & Fry Care
Pelagic eggs hatch into tiny planktonic larvae that live and feed in the plankton. In hatchery programmes for related Pseudanthias, copepods served as first food and juveniles settled around a month post-hatch. These stages cannot be reproduced in a home reef, where the floating egg phase and live-plankton larval diet are unmanageable.
Common Challenges
Anthias aquaculture has succeeded for only a few species and only within institutional facilities. Wild specimens additionally need expert quarantine and conditioning to feed and survive, leaving no realistic route to breeding them at home.