Pseudanthias identification
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MCCOOL
Active member
SDguy, I got a very similar fish a few months back that you identified as P. ignitus. At the time, it was solid orange but has since developed The yellow "stripes". It also has the blue eye ring like this fish. I wonder what is is, I wish I could get a picture as good as this one.
Look at the head. And the tail.
Compare to P. ignitus:
http://markstrickland.photoshelter.com/image/I0000kTrPWEjrB9U
Compare to P. ignitus:
http://markstrickland.photoshelter.com/image/I0000kTrPWEjrB9U
It doesn't seem P. marcia to me.
My fish has yellow vertical stripes, which is very caracteristic.
Now, getting acclimatized , the color is more intense.
AquaticFins
Premium Member
I don't know if you have access to a copy of Kuiter's 2004 book, Basslets, Hamlets and their relatives, but it has photographs of a fish he calls Pseudanthias cf marcia. This fish was apparently imported from the Maldives (P. marcia is found in Oman) and seems to be a colour variant or subspecies of P. marcia - it does display the clear yellow and red stripe pattern that your fish has.
However, the three specimens he has photographed are adult males. They display a patch of purple on the caudal peduncle and a much more deeply forked caudal fin. They also do not have the blue around the eyes that your fish displays.
That's the closest example I've seen to your fish. It may be that yours is indeed a juvenile of that unidentified form or perhaps a hybrid.
It's a beautiful fish and great photographs...good luck with him!
However, the three specimens he has photographed are adult males. They display a patch of purple on the caudal peduncle and a much more deeply forked caudal fin. They also do not have the blue around the eyes that your fish displays.
That's the closest example I've seen to your fish. It may be that yours is indeed a juvenile of that unidentified form or perhaps a hybrid.
It's a beautiful fish and great photographs...good luck with him!
AquaticFins Thank you very much!!!!!
I did some research and found this http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=972284&highlight=pseudanthias marcia It is conferming your opinion.
Do you think that the males of Bret61081 are like the males in your book?
I did some research and found this http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=972284&highlight=pseudanthias marcia It is conferming your opinion.
Do you think that the males of Bret61081 are like the males in your book?
AquaticFins
Premium Member
You are very welcome - glad I could help!
Yes, I do think his males are the same fish that is photographed in Kuiter's book.
Bret61081's fish are not quite as vibrant in colour as those pictured, but they may not have settled in yet when he photographed them. They do have the same colour pattern and identifying characteristics.
I do think that we have found your fish.
Yes, I do think his males are the same fish that is photographed in Kuiter's book.
Bret61081's fish are not quite as vibrant in colour as those pictured, but they may not have settled in yet when he photographed them. They do have the same colour pattern and identifying characteristics.
I do think that we have found your fish.
Having recently purchased 6 of these "unidentified P. Marcia" variants, unless I got all 6 males (unlikely) then the ones that Brett showed as male are likely a different species to yours. My fish all have a non symmetrical tail (the top has a small streamer and the bottom does not) and the darker pink band in the middle of the body, and more of a peachy color front color. In every one of mine the eye has a green reflection too.
Sorry, not much help on what yours is, just adding more confusion unfortunately...whatever they are, all mine are eating well and mixing with my square anthias without issue.
Mark
Sorry, not much help on what yours is, just adding more confusion unfortunately...whatever they are, all mine are eating well and mixing with my square anthias without issue.
Mark
mark0933 You're right, it's very unlikely to get 6 males at once, but I'm sure that mines are female.
When, growing up, one of them gets male, I'll keep you informed.They are still small now, so this will take some time.
Never saw fishes eating so much and so fast. Already half an hour after I did put them in my tank they were eating flakes, incredible!!!! In my tank I have 4 damselfish, but comparing to these anthias they seem very slow!!! I can advice everybody to take these anthias, because they don't have the problems other kinds of anthias have.
When, growing up, one of them gets male, I'll keep you informed.They are still small now, so this will take some time.
Never saw fishes eating so much and so fast. Already half an hour after I did put them in my tank they were eating flakes, incredible!!!! In my tank I have 4 damselfish, but comparing to these anthias they seem very slow!!! I can advice everybody to take these anthias, because they don't have the problems other kinds of anthias have.
update...
The biggest of the two is changing its colour becoming a male! The female too has lightly changed colour and the caracteristic oranges stripes are nearly sparished.
The old pictures I made by HQI 10.000 K, the new ones by HQI 14.000 K and atinic T5. This illumination makes it impossible for me to get suitable pictures. In particular the orange seems token away.
The female
The male
I'll get you informed.
The biggest of the two is changing its colour becoming a male! The female too has lightly changed colour and the caracteristic oranges stripes are nearly sparished.
The old pictures I made by HQI 10.000 K, the new ones by HQI 14.000 K and atinic T5. This illumination makes it impossible for me to get suitable pictures. In particular the orange seems token away.
The female
The male
I'll get you informed.
