Randall's anthias
Pseudanthias randalli
Also known as Randalli Anthias, Randall's Fairy Basslet, Randall's Anthias Basslet
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 3.1 in
- 8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 75 gal
- 285 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Serranidae
- Origin
- Western Pacific from Indonesia to Micronesia, near caves and ledges on reef slopes.
Overview
Keep one, or a male with several females, in at least 285 litres with caves and overhangs and moderate flow at 24 to 27 C. It is reef safe and coral-safe, and slightly easier to feed than open-water anthias, but still needs several small meals a day of mysis, enriched brine and copepods. A refugium producing live pods helps a lot. Provide plenty of rockwork so it feels secure.
In the wild
Randall's anthias is a small pink-and-yellow anthias that stays close to caves and overhangs rather than open water. It darts in and out of the reef structure catching plankton. It is more bottom-associated and less exposed than shoaling anthias. Males carry brighter fin markings than females.
Good to know
Pseudanthias randalli reaches about 8 cm and lives near reef ledges in the western Pacific. It follows the usual anthias pattern of female-to-male sex change within a group. The species is named for ichthyologist John Randall.
Did you know
It hugs caves and ledges more than most anthias, so a reef with lots of overhangs suits it far better than an open tank.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Randall's anthias is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Skunk cleaner shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Saltwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Ring cowrie
Monetaria annulus
Saltwater1.2 in (3 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Skilletfish
Gobiesox strumosus
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (76 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Kole tang
Ctenochaetus strigosus
Saltwater7.1 in (18 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Tiger / strawberry conch
Conomurex luhuanus
Saltwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Radiant wrasse
Halichoeres iridis
Saltwater4.5 in (11.5 cm) · 75 gal (284 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Randall's anthias need?
A Randall's anthias needs at least 75 gal (285 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Randall's anthias need?
A Randall's anthias is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Randall's anthias get?
An adult Randall's anthias reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).
Related species
3.5 in (9 cm)70 gal (265 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Bartlett's anthias
Pseudanthias bartlettorum
3.5 in (9 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)
3.7 in (9.5 cm)70 gal (265 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Dispar anthias
Pseudanthias dispar
3.7 in (9.5 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)
4.7 in (12 cm)75 gal (285 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Evansi anthias
Pseudanthias evansi
4.7 in (12 cm) · 75 gal (285 L)
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)
4.7 in (12 cm)90 gal (340 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Huchtii anthias
Pseudanthias huchtii
4.7 in (12 cm) · 90 gal (340 L)
5.1 in (13 cm)125 gal (475 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Bicolor anthias
Pseudanthias bicolor
5.1 in (13 cm) · 125 gal (475 L)