Squareback Anthias (Pseudanthias pleurotaenia)

The Squareback Anthias or Pseudanthias pleurotaenia is a saltwater fish that goes by a few different names including the Purple Blotch Basslet, Squareblock, Mirror Anthias, Square-Spot Fairy Basslet and Squarespot. Females of this species are yellow with a purple underside. Males are mostly pink with a purple underside and a lighter colored rectangle on their sides. They are not particularly large, only growing to about 4" in length. You can check out the Squareback Anthias in the video below...

Squareback Anthias are often kept in the aquarium and considered to be quite hardy. The following water conditions are acceptable for this fish in a tank of about 35 gallons, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4 and sg 1.020-1.025. They should be fed brine shrimp and flake food twice a day. One thing to note about the this species of Anthias is that if you expose them to too much direct or powerful light their colors will fade drastically.One strange fact about this fish is that they are hermaphroditic. This simply means that if a male dies the largest female will actually change into a male. That's right they will have a sex change, and without the big bill!

Bartlett's Anthias (Pseudanthias bartlettorum)

The Bartlett's Anthias or Pseudanthias bartlettorum is a brightly colored fish that originates in the waters off of the Marshall Islands. Also known as the Bartletts Fairy Bass or Christmas Island Anthias, they can grow to about 3-1/2" in maximum length. These fish are made up of purples, oranges and tend to have a yellow on their backs and down into their tales. One crazy fact about this fish is that they can change sexes over their lifetime! If the dominate male dies, the largest female will actually morph into a male!

Bartlett's Anthias fish are kept in an aquarium setting on occasion, although they are not the easiest to care for. They require at least a 80 gallon tank with the following water conditions, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4 and sg 1.020-1.025. These saltwater fish are best kept with their own species, but also will work in a reef aquarium. They are normally located around the middle on an aquarium, but like most other fish they love to have a few spots to go and hide in. You can check out these fish in action in the video below...
Bartlett's Anthias should be fed a small amount of food several times a day. They like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp and other meaty items. In the wild they feed on zooplankton and algae.
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