Blotched Anthias Care

Travis Warren · Feb 15, 2020

I just got my blotched Anthias today and was wondering if anyone has had long term success for over 2 years and if advise. Thanks.

reef-rc · Feb 18, 2020

i would be curious myself. +following

izzyishh · Feb 18, 2020

same ^^^^^^^^^^

Travis Warren · Feb 19, 2020

Thanks. So far no one is replying. Maybe Ryan from BRS could shed some light. So far I put mine in tank on Saturday and finally last night it came out and ate after all lights where out. Today eating and staying in shadow of coral. Looking good so far but very shy as of now.

reef-rc · Feb 19, 2020

I currently have 2 of about the same size currently in quarantine. I have a slight larger one coming Friday to make it a trio. Given the info I saw that all blotched anithas begin as female and the largest eventually transform into a male at some point, I would anticipate the last one would be eventually be a male down the road. Seems like opposites of clown fish.

Both of mine have been eating like pigs (feeding mostly mysis). Last few days I started feeding them twice (one feeding after work and the other before i go to bed) and they are taking all I give each time.

One is shy, the other not so much. They both seems to like the 1" - 1.5" pvc pipes more than the 3" or 4" pipes I have in the quarantine tank. Small pvc seems to offer that sense of security and cave to hide in.

From what I recalled of Ryan or Randy of BRS mentioned, these fish do not swim around much. They are more like Banggai Cardinalfish. So I would anticipate these are not one you would consider as adding a whole lot of movement to the tank long term.

Travis Warren · Mar 17, 2020

Thanks and a follow up. I got my second one in and she stays in shadow on right side of tank and the other is on left side of tank. The first one is coming out a lot now a month later. I am hoping they pair up but would be fine with one on each side of tank too.

pcon · Mar 17, 2020

reef-rc said:
I currently have 2 of about the same size currently in quarantine. I have a slight larger one coming Friday to make it a trio. Given the info I saw that all blotched anithas begin as female and the largest eventually transform into a male at some point, I would anticipate the last one would be eventually be a male down the road. Seems like opposites of clown fish.

I think this is generally true of anthias, Interestingly apparently these can be sexed from a fairly small size. The third spine is longer in males, you can see Matt Wandell talking about it in this macna talk (Starting around 40:30), they have kept a group at the Steinhart aquarium for many years now, get surprisingly large.

reef-rc · Mar 17, 2020

pcon said:
I think this is generally true of anthias, Interestingly apparently these can be sexed from a fairly small size. The third spine is longer in males, you can see Matt Wandell talking about it in this macna talk (Starting around 40:30), they have kept a group at the Steinhart aquarium for many years now, get surprisingly large.

Thanks for the info. I would be curious if/when they may sexed out. I just looked at my three and they are all the same currently.

W00F · Mar 17, 2020

I can’t help with care but what does it look like in actinic lighting? Have any pictures?

I’m debating if I should get one.

Travis Warren · Mar 17, 2020

Travis Warren · Mar 17, 2020

This my bigger one. In looking at it and my small one on other side of tank both are female. I really love them as they are active and quick in there area but do not swim across tank. Thanks for the video and information.

W00F · Mar 18, 2020

Travis Warren said:

Great picture. Awsome looking fish.
Is this what the fish looks like in actinic lighting?

Travis Warren · Mar 18, 2020

I have 1 actinic, 1 blue, 1 purple, 1 coral plus T5 with AI 52 LED. I took picture with a Droid. The fish has yellow and pink in any lighting that you have.

waterskiguy · Mar 18, 2020

W00F said:
Great picture. Awsome looking fish.
Is this what the fish looks like in actinic lighting?

They do not fluoresce in actinic, if that's what you're asking. the colors are very true and stay relatively the same over time.

W00F · Mar 18, 2020

waterskiguy said:
They do not fluoresce in actinic, if that's what you're asking. the colors are very true and stay relatively the same over time.

Im just wondering if all the colors get washed and can’t see the pink and yellow under blues

waterskiguy · Mar 18, 2020

W00F said:
Im just wondering if all the colors get washed and can’t see the pink and yellow under blues

You can definitely still see them. They actually seem to get darker, IMO. I’ll see if o can get a picture of mine. He doesn’t usually come out at night much. He’s still pretty shy.

Wildreefs · Mar 18, 2020

I am in my 6th one. They seem to do great for a while, longest one for me is 6 months. They all have eaten great then one day wedged in a rock dead . Most lfs have echoed similar experiences with them that I have talked too.

reef-rc · Mar 18, 2020

Wildreefs said:
I am in my 6th one. They seem to do great for a while, longest one for me is 6 months. They all have eaten great then one day wedged in a rock dead . Most lfs have echoed similar experiences with them that I have talked too.

That's dishearten. Especially for the price each is going for.

Travis Warren · Mar 18, 2020

Wildreefs said:
I am in my 6th one. They seem to do great for a while, longest one for me is 6 months. They all have eaten great then one day wedged in a rock dead . Most lfs have echoed similar experiences with them that I have talked too.

How many did you add at a time? I think the ones on BRS lasted over a year and still going but they added 4 at the same time. I hope my 2 last a long time. Any information you have yours or other tank Nate's that you keep with them would be greatly appreciated.

Tchung23 · May 12, 2022

Wildreefs said:
I am in my 6th one. They seem to do great for a while, longest one for me is 6 months. They all have eaten great then one day wedged in a rock dead . Most lfs have echoed similar experiences with them that I have talked too.

How much did your blotched grow in the 6 months you had him?? Just curious about their growth rates.