Info on Squareback Anthias (Pseudoanthias pleurotaenia)

[Avengerx77]

As I am doing my stocking plan for my 130gallon reef, I want to add some anthias, specifically Squareback Anthias (Pseudoanthias pleurotaenia). However I read the following in liveaquaria: This variety of Anthias does best in an aquarium with low, indirect lighting or its brilliant colors will fade.

I have two Radions Gen3 Pro and will be keeping soft, LPS and SPS corals, so I am afraid this will have a negative impact in the colors of the fish. Has anyone have this problem of fading colors on this species? I was planning to have a small group, maybe 3 or 5, but if that's true I might look for another species of anthias.

Any experiences?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Many anthias colors lose intensity over time. The squareback does as well, but not to a terrible degree, I have found they keep a desirable amount of coloring in a reef tank.

 

[Avengerx77]

Thanks for the comment. Any other experiences?

 

[neontreefrog5]

in the store i work at we have a huge male square anthias, and not very strong lighting on our fish systems. even though hes under relatively low lighting hes not very vibrant, so it could just be dependent on your fish. though i will say he is super aggressive.

 

[Avengerx77]

Thanks neon. Didn't know they were that agressive, liveaquaria have them as semi-agressive, but that goes for perculas as well. My stocklist will have for sure a royal gramma, a pair of clownfish (not sure which ones yet), yellow tang (still not sure on this one), mandarin (after a year) and one open space for another species, which is the reason why I am considering the anthias. Most of them are semi-aggresive, so I guess the combination should be fine.

 

[neontreefrog5]

well, as with anything its a hit or miss. if you get one it could be fine. the one we have is pretty big and mean. he always attacks his tankmates, which are a scopas tang, a coral beauty (his fins got so torn and an eye messed up we had to put him in QT but he didnt make it), a pretty big red hawk, and a scribbled rabbitfish.

 

[neontreefrog5]

its always better to get multiple opinions because not everything on liveaquaria is correct. i also like to cross reference with bluezooaquatics. mostly when i research i will go to WoRMs, the world registry of marine animals. when you go on there and click fishbase or encyclopedia of life after
finding a species, theyve got a ton of info. just for future reference!