Borbonius Anthias, Bimaculatus Anthias, Rare Anthias

Rare Anthias

Anthias are hardy fish compared to some of the more temperamental saltwater species out there. But there still are items you need to know before you begin. They can be added singly or in groups called shoals. Like in many animals, both males and females are on a totem pole of importance. When the dominant male gets bothered by a subordinate male, depending on its aggressiveness, the alpha male can harass the subordinate male which stresses it out, and many times the other fish in the shoal,to the point of death. Therefore if you are planning on adding a shoal of a species of Anthias, for every 1 male added, have 6 to 8 females. By adding female Anthias rather than another male, you will keep aggression in check and have a much healthier tank.

Aquarium Conditioned
Japanese Borbonius Anthias
Odontanthias borbonius
Picture of Borbonius Anthias

Identification: The Borbonius Anthias(Odontanthias borbonius) is a rare deep water anthias also known as the Spotted Anthias, Checked Anthias, or Blotchy Anthias. One of the true beauties of the sea, being a deep water anthias is why it is much harder to obtain. This is an expensive anthias. It's a real beauty to behold and, given the right environment and husbandry, it is not exceptionally difficult to keep. They are most commonly collected at depths of more than 200 foot deep. A peaceful fish it will not bother other fish, inverts of coral found in reef tanks. This makes them a great addition for reef tanks. Since the Borbonius Anthias are deep water anthias, they typically do not do well with bright lights and higher temperatures sometimes found in some reef tanks. With a pink background covered with blotchey golden markings they make for an unforgetable addition to a saltwater aquarium. Because anthias such as the Borbonius Anthias require more feedings than many other species of marine aquarium fishes, it is generally advisable to provide hefty filtration including an excellent protein skimmer. Keeping the water quality high and stable will go a long way to reducing stress.

Tank Recommendations: The Borbonius Anthias can be the crown to the reef aquarium, but to have success the aquarium needs to be large, and the deeper the better. Since it originates from deep waters, the Borbonius Anthias prefers to occupy the lower regions of the aquarium. It must have plenty of liverock to swim through and hide in when it feels the need.

Food and diet: Like other anthias they benefit from several small feedings throughout the day rather than one large feeding. The best feeding for anthias will come from a healthy microinvertebrate population in your aquarium with a constant supply of copepods and amphipods available for food. Having a refugium attached to your aquarium makes the proper supply of food available any time through the steady supply of live food sure to keep any planktivore content. What should you be feeding your anthias? You have to add meaty foods (finely shaved seafood, frozen Cyclops, fish eggs and carnivore foods) at least three times a day. If you do not feed the Borbonius Anthias enough food, it will become more and more emaciated and will gradually perish.

Level of Care: Moderate

Acclimaton Time: 4+ hours

Reef Compatibility : Excellent

Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 1-3/4"; Medium: 1-3/4" to 2-1/2"; Large: 2-1/2" to 3-1/2"

Small$749.99 Medium $789.99
Large $859.99

Aquarium Conditioned
Red Saddled Anthias
Pseudanthias Flavoguttatus
Picture of Red Saddled Anthias

Identification: The Red Saddled Anthias also called the Flavoguttatus Anthias are found from Japan, through the Philippines and Palau, and west through Bali and Christmas Islands in the southeast Indian Ocean. Collected by deepwater divers at depths between 85 to about 200 feet. A long slender white body with various red saddle markings along its back, give this deepwater anthias the name Red Saddled Anthias. Growing only to a maximum adult size of around 4 inches, they do very well in small groups of all females or all females with one male. With the lack of a male, the dominant Female Red Saddled Anthias will turn into a male. Red Saddled Anthias are peaceful fish and will not bother other fish, inverts of coral found in reef tanks. This makes them a great addition to reef tanks. Red Saddled Anthias are deep water anthias, so they typically do not do well with bright lights and higher temperatures sometimes found in some reef tanks. Some rock overhangs help give the Flavoguttatus even more shade from light so we recommend having a few shaded areas as well.

TankRecommendations: There are only a few species of deepwater Anthias from the Pacific that stay small enough to do well in mid-sized reef aquariums. Minimum size for a single Red Saddle Anthias is 70 gallons and for a shoal we recommend 125 gallons or larger. Many of the anthias that live at greater depths lose their bright colors with time in captivity.

Food and diet: Like other anthias they benefit from several small feedings throughout the day rather than one large feeding. The best feeding for anthias will come from a healthy microinvertebrate population in your aquarium with a constant supply of copepods and amphipods available for food. Having a refugium attached to your aquarium makes the proper supply of food available any time through the steady supply of live food sure to keep any planktivore content. What should you be feeding your anthias? You have to add meaty foods (finely shaved seafood, frozen Cyclops, fish eggs and carnivore foods) at least three times a day. If you do not feed the Borbonius Anthias enough food, it will become more and more emaciated and will gradually perish.

Level of Care: Moderate

Acclimaton Time: 4+ hours

Reef Compatibility : Excellent

Approximate Purchase Size: Juvenile/Female: up to 2"; Sub adult/Male: 2" to 3"

Juvenile/Female$179.99 Sub adult/Male $209.99

Aquarium Conditioned
Bimaculatus Anthias
Pseudanthias bimaculatus
Picture of Bimaculatus Anthias ALIGN=

Identification: Bimaculatus Anthias is commonly referred to as the Twospot or Twinspot Anthias and also called the Bimac Anthias and the Purple Goldie.. Found along reefs in the Indo-West Pacific from East Africa, to the Maldives, and Indonesia. A deep water species typically found by coastal drop-offs the Bimaculatus are peaceful aquarium inhabitants. The only exception seems to be males of the same species. They are a medium-sized anthias reaching a maximum of 5 inches at adulthood. This species is sexually dimorphic, meaning the males and females have differing physical characteristics. Pseudanthias bimaculatus males are primarily red with jagged pink lines along the body. Males will have a red tail with clear to white tips. Males will typically have yellow highlights on the tail, anal fins, and head area. Males also have one or two spots on their dorsal fin, hence the scientific name 'bimaculatus', meaning two spots. Females will be primarily pink with yellow fins and tail. Females will typically have a yellow line stretching across the head through their eyes.

TankRecommendations: There are only a few species of deepwater Anthias from the Pacific that stay small enough to do well in mid-sized reef aquariums. Minimum size for a single Red Saddle Anthias is 70 gallons and for a shoal we recommend 125 gallons or larger. Many of the anthias that live at greater depths lose their bright colors with time in captivity.

Food and diet: Like other anthias they benefit from several small feedings throughout the day rather than one large feeding. The best feeding for anthias will come from a healthy microinvertebrate population in your aquarium with a constant supply of copepods and amphipods available for food. Having a refugium attached to your aquarium makes the proper supply of food available any time through the steady supply of live food sure to keep any planktivore content. What should you be feeding your anthias? You have to add meaty foods (finely shaved seafood, frozen Cyclops, fish eggs and carnivore foods) at least three times a day. If you do not feed the Borbonius Anthias enough food, it will become more and more emaciated and will gradually perish.

Level of Care: Moderate

Acclimaton Time: 4+ hours

Reef Compatibility : Excellent

Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 2" to 3" Medium: 3" to 4" Large: 4" to 5"

Small$169.99 Medium $179.99
Large $209.99

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Photos are representative of each species. All marine life will be unique and variations should be expected, color and sizes may vary.