Ruby Anthias (Paranthias Colonus)

Care Level : Intermediate

Temperament : Semi-aggressive

Color : Pink, Red, Yellow, Blue

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : Yes

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 74-80° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.0-8.4

Max. Size : 10"

Origin : Eastern Pacific

Family : Serranidae

Minimum Tank Size : 230 Gallons

Ruby Antias (Paranthias Colonus) or Pacific Creolefish is a species of sea bass that lives in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The Ruby Anthias is a very rare and not often seen large anthias.

Ruby Anthias have a mostly pinking red body with blue lines under their eyes. Their body is red to gray in color with bright blue/white spots near their fins. The fins are reddish. Pacific Creolefish young are often bright yellow with five small dark spots on back.  

Ruby Anthias reach a maximum adult size of around 10 inches and need to be kept in tanks that are at least 230 gallons.

With a peaceful nature, this fish does well with other non-aggressive fish of the same variety. They will not bother coral and most inverts, which makes them a decent addition to large reef tanks. Male Ruby Anthias will be aggressive towards other males, so it is best to keep a group of all females or one male with multiple female Ruby Anthias.

Anthias species all share the trait of being hermaphroditic. If a dominant male perishes, the largest female of the group will often morph to take its place.

Ruby Anthias are carnivores and require a diet that is rich in meaty foods. Once acclimated to a new aquarium, anthias do best when fed a varied diet of frozen Mysis shrimp, enriched frozen brine shrimp, and over time may eat high-quality flake foods offered in small quantities throughout the day. An attached refugium cultivating copepods and amphipods provides a steady supply of nutritious live food sure to keep this active planktivore content. Ruby Anthias do best when fed multiple small meals a day instead of one large meal.