All fish / Serranidae (Anthiadinae)

Violet Anthias

Pseudanthias fucinus

Also known as violet anthias, hawaiian violet anthias, fucinus anthias, anthias fucinus

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This is a slender anthias found only in Hawaii. Its body shades from violet towards yellow and pink tones, and it has a deeply forked tail. Advanced reef keepers value it because it is rarely collected and sold.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

One male with several females, or a single fish

Diet

Carnivore: frequent small feeds of mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods and fine frozen plankton

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Hawaiian Islands (endemic)

Breeding

Like other anthias it is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning females can change into males, and it spawns in open water with floating eggs. It has not been bred commercially in captivity.

Good to know

This fish lives on deep reefs, so it needs careful decompression after collection and does best in dim lighting with cool, stable water. It is rarely available and costly, and it should be fed several times a day.