TankBud

Sunburst anthias

Serranocirrhitus latus

Also known as Fathead Anthias, Fathead Sunburst Anthias, Hawkfish Anthias, Swallowtail Basslet

SaltwaterFish

Sunburst anthias (Serranocirrhitus latus)
Dieter Karner from Loosdorf, Austria · CC BY 2.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
5.1 in
13 cm
Minimum tank
70 gal
265 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Serranidae
Origin
Western Pacific reefs, from Indonesia's Molucca Islands to Fiji, north to Japan's Izu Islands and Taiwan

Overview

The Sunburst anthias is a shy, retiring fish for a reef tank. It is widely considered the hardiest and most forgiving anthias in the hobby, though it is still best with a little experience.

Did you know

The Sunburst anthias is usually seen swimming upside down against the ceilings of caves and overhangs. Most anthias shoal in open water above the reef instead. The habit also gave it the name hawkfish anthias.

Caring for the Sunburst anthias

Keep the Sunburst anthias in at least 70 gal (265 L), a smaller reef tank than most anthias would tolerate. Build a tall rockwork structure with real caves and overhangs for it to patrol. It does not need the wide-open swimming lanes that shoaling anthias require, since it spends most of its time close to shelter.

Give it moderate to low lighting and good flow. Keep the water at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. It can be slow to come out and eat when first introduced. Feed several small meals a day of mysis, enriched brine shrimp and other meaty foods.

The Sunburst anthias is peaceful toward tank mates and reef safe with corals and invertebrates. It pairs well with gobies and other calm, cave-oriented fish. Keep only one male per tank, and expect breeding to be hard.

Good to know

The Sunburst anthias, Serranocirrhitus latus, was originally classified as a hawkfish, then reassigned to the grouper and anthias family, Serranidae, in 1978. Its genus name combines Serranus, a grouper, and Cirrhitus, a hawkfish, a nod to that unsettled history. It is usually found alone, in pairs or in small loose groups rather than large harems. Despite those solitary habits, it is still a protogynous hermaphrodite, and the dominant fish of a pair will become male if needed. It is also sold as the fathead anthias and swallowtail basslet.

In the wild

The Sunburst anthias is native to western Pacific reefs, from Indonesia's Molucca Islands to Fiji, north to Japan's Izu Islands and Taiwan. It hangs in the shade of outer reef drop-offs, caves and overhangs at 15 to 70 m.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Sunburst anthias is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Sunburst anthias need?

A Sunburst anthias needs at least 70 gal (265 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Sunburst anthias need?

A Sunburst anthias is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a Sunburst anthias eat?

A Sunburst anthias eats several small meals a day of mysis, enriched brine shrimp and other meaty foods. A new fish can be slow to come out and eat at first.

How big does a Sunburst anthias get?

An adult Sunburst anthias reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).

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