Sunset Anthias ♂ (Pseudanthias parvirostris)
| Sunset Anthias ♂ Pseudanthias parvirostris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Sunset Anthias ♂ |
| Name Lat. | Pseudanthias parvirostris |
| Family | Sea Basses |
| Family lat. | Serranidae |
| Order | Perch-likes |
| Order lat. | Perciformes |
| Origin | Indo-West Pacific |
| Habitat | Coral reefs |
| Diet | Planktivore |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
| Hardness | 8-10 °KH |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Group |
| Reef Compatible | Yes |
| Care Level | Difficult |
| Life Span | 3-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 7 cm |
| Temperature | 22-24 °C |
| Salinity | 33-36 ‰ |
| Aquarium | ~ 350 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 3" |
| Temperature | 72-75 °F |
| Salinity | 1.020-1.025 sg |
| Aquarium | ~ 90 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution range of Pseudanthias parvirostris extends from Mauritius and the Maldives in the Indian Ocean through Indonesia and Australia to the Solomon Islands and Japan in the Western Pacific. They live in small groups on coral reefs with strong currents in more than 40 m depth.
Maintenance
They require a well-structured aquarium with plenty of swimming space and a reef structure (hiding, resting and retreat possibilities) with living stones that act like a biological filter as well as a substrate of sand or fine gravel. Only substrates rich in lime and free of heavy metals may be used as substrate.
Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. Lighting must match the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals
| Salinity: 33-36 ‰ | pH value: 8.1-8.4 |
| Carbonate hardness: 8-10 °KH | Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l |
| phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l | nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l |
For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention must be paid to consistently good water quality and water values.
Diet
They are permanent feeders, feeding mainly on zooplankton and suspended algae. The food change does not always succeed without problems. The food supply should consist of a combination of live and frozen food, such as small mysis, krill, fish roe, lobster eggs, artemia, cyclops and bosmids, or a commercially available, vitamin-enriched, frozen special food mix for planktivores. Dry food (granules, flakes) is rarely accepted
It is necessary to feed small portions several times a day (5-8 times). Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They must be maintained in a group of at least 10 animals. To avoid ranking fights, one group should be placed in the aquarium at a time. They have a highly specialized social behavior, skirmishes with short chases are normal (hiding places). Care should be taken when socializing with surgeonfish and red colored wrasses are often not tolerated. They usually behave peacefully towards other fish.
Sex dimorphism
They are protogynous hermaphrodites, i.e. males develop from functional females when needed. The males are more colorful than the golden-yellow females.
Reproduction and breeding
There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.
Important
In case of danger they disappear in a flash into coral and rock crevices. As deep dwellers, they prefer cooler temperatures and shaded light. A dim night light is advantageous, as they tend to jump out of the aquarium in complete darkness
It is recommended to keep these typical reef inhabitants together with corals and not to keep them in a fish-only aquarium.
If different species are kept together, make sure that the fish match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements as well as their social behavior, and that the setup meets the needs of all species kept together. Newly introduced fish must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata
Source: KUITER & DEBELIUS (2007): Atlas der Meeresfische: Die Fische an den Küsten der Weltmeere, Kosmos Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF