Bartlett's Anthias

Pseudanthias bartlettorum

Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Perciformes›Serranidae

📍 Central Pacific, Micronesia to Samoa

One of the more manageable anthias — males are vivid purple with a yellow tail; females are yellow-orange. Hardy for an anthias and will accept frozen food more readily than most. Best in a harem group.

Size3.5"

Min Tank75g

School3+

peaceful

Zonemid

Care Guide

Diet

Bartlett's Anthias are carnivorous zooplankton feeders that require frequent small meals throughout the day. Offer high-quality frozen foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and copepods once daily. They will also accept quality flake and pellet foods designed for carnivorous reef fish, though frozen foods should comprise the bulk of their diet.

Behavior

These peaceful anthias are active mid-water swimmers that spend most of their time foraging and swimming in loose groups. Males display vibrant purple coloration with yellow tails, while females are yellow-orange; males may show mild aggression toward each other but coexist peacefully in harems. They are less aggressive than most anthias species and adapt well to captive conditions.

Breeding

Breeding Bartlett's Anthias in captivity is extremely difficult and rarely successful in home aquariums. They are sequential hermaphrodites that require very specific conditions including large tank volumes, stable water parameters, and live food cultures. Most captive specimens are wild-caught, and successful breeding requires advanced expertise.

Tank Mates

Ocellaris Clownfish

Similar peaceful temperament and compatible water requirements; both thrive in reef environments

excellent

Pajama Cardinalfish

Non-aggressive, similar size, and compatible feeding habits; both are reef-safe

excellent

Firefish Goby

Peaceful bottom-dweller that occupies different water column; minimal competition

good

Cleaner Shrimp

Beneficial symbiotic relationship; anthias benefit from parasite removal

excellent

Neon Goby

Small, peaceful fish that won't compete aggressively for food or territory

good

Common Diseases

Ich (Marine Ich)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against rocks, lethargy

Treatment

Raise temperature gradually to 27-28°C, maintain excellent water quality, use copper-based treatments or hyposalinity therapy; quarantine infected fish

Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)

Symptoms

Pitting or erosion on head and lateral line, loss of appetite, behavioral changes

Treatment

Improve water quality, increase feeding frequency with varied high-quality foods, supplement with vitamin-enriched foods; often resolves with better nutrition and stable conditions

Bacterial Infections

Symptoms

Torn fins, open sores, discoloration, cloudy eyes, lethargy

Treatment

Maintain pristine water quality, perform frequent water changes, use antibiotic treatments if severe; quarantine affected fish to prevent spread

Nutritional Deficiencies

Symptoms

Faded coloration, reduced appetite, stunted growth, lethargy

Treatment

Provide varied diet of high-quality frozen foods, use vitamin-enriched preparations, ensure frequent feeding schedule; condition improves within weeks of improved nutrition