Anthias fish are a grouping of small marine aquarium fish which are located in practically all tropical seas. They are regularly some of the brightest colored marine fishes in the ocean and are very admired additions to the marine aquarium. They come from the family Serranidae which contain primarily basslets as well as groupers. Among the basslet family, they are classified in a sub-family named Anthiinae.

There have been 7 located types within this subfamily thus far. Anthias are mainly a shoaling species that can sometimes be found in the 1000’s across their usual range on the reefs.

They are generally found inhabiting spots of very strong flow, something that must be simulated in the home aquaria. Almost all anthias varieties feed on saltwater plankton throughout the day. This fact makes these gorgeous marine fish rather tricky to keep in the aquarium.

Some fare very poorly in the aquarium and refuse prepared fish food until they finally starve to death. Multiple feedings of small fish feed need to be offered daily. A quantity of great selections are made up of cyclopeeze along with grinded meaty seafoods. Feedings upwards of 3 times per day is suggested. If such a feeding schedule cannot be offered, it would be best to shop outside of the anthias family of fish.

Anthias are caught at depths anywhere from 20 feet all the way as deep as 200 feet. Deep living anthias regularly command a exceptionally expensive price and are almost always snapped up when they are available. 2 well-liked and expensive deeper living varieties are Pseudoanthias Ventralis in addition to Pseudoanthias Privitera.

Also included in the Anthias fish family are some unique oddities such as the highfin perchlet. Usually confused as a hawkfish, they come from the genus PLectranthias. Similar to hawkfish, the highfin perchlet does not possess a swim bladder.

All anthias fish are sequential hermaphrodites. Great shoals are normally made up of a greater percent of females than males. These saltwater fish require big fish tanks to do well. If more than one specimen from a species is required, make sure there is only a single male present. Integrating males in captivity will just about always bring about hostility.

In general, anthias are thought of as a fairly reasonably priced saltwater fish outside of the rare deepwater types. Prices range anywhere from $20 to $40 per specimen based on species. exceptionally colorful, most lovers attempt to replicate their shoaling behavior in the aquarium. However, only those with the largest marine tanks are successful.