All fish / Serranidae

Twospot Anthias

Pseudanthias bimaculatus

Also known as two spot anthias, twinspot anthias, twospot basslet, bimaculatus anthias, two-spot anthias, フタホシハナダイ, 双斑拟花鮨

This is a slim anthias. Females are pinkish orange with yellow, and males show a reddish spot on each flank and longer fin rays. It usually lives on deeper reef slopes and is kept by reefkeepers who want a colourful, active shoaling fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

500 litres

Keep as

One male with several females in a large tank

Diet

Carnivore: frequent small meals of mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods and fine frozen foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indian Ocean and western Pacific, from East Africa to Indonesia and the Philippines

Breeding

Like other anthias, it is a protogynous hermaphrodite, so dominant females can change into males. It spawns pelagically in the evening, and captive rearing is rare because the larvae are tiny and planktonic.

Good to know

Because it comes from deeper water, it settles best under subdued lighting and needs feeding several times a day, or it loses condition. Keep only one male per tank unless the tank is very large.