{"product_id":"amethyst-anthias-pseudanthias-pascalus","title":"Amethyst Anthias | Pseudanthias pascalus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThat violet-to-magenta colour is the hook, but the Amethyst Anthias earns its place through constant open-water activity, provided you can give it a large, mature reef and several small feeds a day. It is a beautiful but demanding planktivore that is not always easy to establish, and is best suited to experienced marine keepers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, the Amethyst Anthias is associated with Western and Central Pacific reefs, where it holds position above reef slopes, bommies, ledges and current lines as passing plankton is carried through the water column. It is often found in large aggregations in deeper water. These are not bottom-dwelling fish; they spend much of the day in mid-water, darting into rockwork when startled and returning to the open once secure. Replicating this environment means providing open swimming space, branching rockwork, caves, overhangs and moderate to strong water movement in a large, well-established aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis anthias is recognised for its violet to magenta body, slender reef-planktivore shape and bright contrasting facial tones. Colour intensifies with good nutrition, stable water parameters and appropriate social structure. Like many anthias, dominant males differ from females in intensity, fin shape and body markings, with the dominant fish typically the most brightly coloured in the group. Under reef lighting the purple and magenta tones are especially impressive, making it a standout choice for the upper water column. The adult size of around 17 cm should be planned for. Healthy specimens are alert, well-filled and feeding confidently, without pinched bellies or laboured breathing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmethyst Anthias is generally peaceful but active. It is best housed with peaceful to moderately assertive reef fish such as clownfish, wrasses, gobies, blennies, dartfish, dwarf angelfish with caution, and tangs in larger systems. Avoid housing it with very aggressive triggers, large predatory wrasses, lionfish, groupers or established bullies that may prevent it from feeding. Anthias do best when added to a calm, mature aquarium where they can settle, feed confidently and avoid constant harassment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnthias have fast metabolisms and cannot thrive on a single daily feed. Offer frequent small meals of mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped seafood, quality marine pellets and frozen plankton blends. At least three feeds per day are recommended, and automatic feeding with small pellets can help maintain condition. Newly introduced specimens often prefer frozen foods first, then gradually accept pellets. A varied diet fed little and often is the key to strong colour, good body weight and long-term success, and getting a new fish feeding quickly is the single most important step.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor long-term success, provide a minimum aquarium size of 500 L, with 800 L or larger recommended for groups and long-term stability. Maintain temperature at 24–26°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.023–1.026. Provide moderate to strong, varied flow so food remains suspended without constantly blasting the fish. Lighting can be typical reef lighting, but shaded retreats are important, especially for this deeper-water species. Use strong biological filtration, a quality protein skimmer and regular water changes of 10–20% to keep nitrate and phosphate controlled. Rockwork should include caves and overhangs while leaving open swimming space. Keep singly, as a pair, or in a properly planned group in a large aquarium, and introduce timid anthias before more aggressive tank mates where possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnthias are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning females can change into males when social conditions allow. In aquariums, courtship behaviour may include displaying, chasing and evening activity in the water column, but raising larvae is very difficult and generally beyond standard home breeding. Stable groups, frequent feeding and excellent water quality are required before any spawning behaviour is likely. For most hobbyists the practical goal is a healthy, well-conditioned fish rather than captive reproduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePseudanthias pascalus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmethyst Anthias (Purple Queen Anthias)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestern and Central Pacific reef slopes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e17 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–7 years with excellent care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful but active\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate to advanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e500 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e800 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanktivore; frequent small meaty feeds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–26°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.023–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEstablished reef and peaceful marine community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes, with caution around very small ornamental crustaceans\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include peaceful clownfish, gobies, blennies, dartfish, chromis, flasher and fairy wrasses, peaceful tangs in larger aquariums and other carefully selected anthias introduced with planning.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid large predatory fish, aggressive triggers, large hawkfish, groupers, lionfish, overly territorial dottybacks and any established fish that will outcompete or intimidate anthias at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351888052515,"sku":null,"price":59.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55216320741667,"sku":"AA3662","price":69.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55351888085283,"sku":null,"price":79.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-17cm)","offer_id":55351888118051,"sku":null,"price":89.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Amethyst_Anthias_Mirolabrichthys_pascalus_bed2df76-8c28-4ad9-a2c8-c5709bfc451d.jpg?v=1781681137","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/amethyst-anthias-pseudanthias-pascalus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}