Huchtii Anthias

Care at a glance

Overview

Give a group at least 340 litres with open swimming water, rock retreats and good flow at 24 to 27 C. It is reef safe with corals but may hunt very small ornamental shrimp. Feed a mix of quality flake, pellets and frozen foods three to four times a day. Being one of the hardier anthias, it is a reasonable starting point for keepers new to the group.

In the wild

The huchtii anthias, or red-cheeked anthias, shoals over Pacific reef slopes catching plankton. Males are greenish with an orange stripe behind the eye and electric blue fin edges. It is one of the hardier and more forgiving anthias for aquariums. Groups form the usual single-male harem.

Good to know

Pseudanthias huchtii reaches about 12 cm, with females roughly half the size of males. It is considered one of the more robust anthias in the trade. Like its relatives it changes from female to male as the dominant fish.

Did you know

Its reputation as the toughest common anthias makes it the usual recommendation for a first try at the group.

Related species

• 

  Bicolor Anthias

  Pseudanthias bicolor

  5.1 in (13 cm)125 gal (475 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Lyretail Anthias

  Pseudanthias squamipinnis

  5.1 in (13 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Evansi Anthias

  Pseudanthias evansi

  4.7 in (12 cm)75 gal (285 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Purple Queen Anthias

  Pseudanthias tuka

  4.7 in (12 cm)75 gal (285 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Square Anthias

  Pseudanthias pleurotaenia

  7.9 in (20 cm)100 gal (380 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Dispar Anthias

  Pseudanthias dispar

  3.7 in (9.5 cm)70 gal (265 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)