All fish / Serranidae (Anthiadinae)

Longfin Anthias

Pseudanthias ventralis

Also known as longfin anthias, ventralis anthias, hawaiian longfin anthias, ventral anthias, long-finned anthias, hawaiian anthias, ventralis, スミレナガハナダイ, 腹鳍拟花鮨

A small, slender anthias with magenta to violet bodies washed with yellow or orange, and males show long trailing pelvic fins and extended tail lobes. It comes from deep outer reef slopes, so it is prized by advanced reefkeepers for its rarity and striking colour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

One male with several females, or a harem in a large tank

Diet

Carnivore: frequent small feeds of mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped seafood and quality small pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western and central Pacific: Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, Melanesia and Polynesia to Pitcairn and Hawaii (subspecies P. v. hawaiiensis)

Breeding

It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, with females able to change into males, and pairs scatter pelagic eggs at dusk. Captive breeding is very rare because the tiny larvae need live plankton.

Good to know

Collected from deep water, it is shy, expensive and needs dim rockwork caves, cool stable water and several feeds a day. Keep it away from boisterous tankmates, which will outcompete it for food.