Randall's Anthias (Pseudanthisas Randalli) Female

Species Name : Pseudanthisas Randalli

Care Level : Moderate

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Pink, Red, Yellow

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : Yes

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 3"

Origin : Central Pacific, Marshall Islands 

Family : Serranidae

Minimum Tank Size : 70 gallons

Pseudanthias Randalli, commonly known as Randall's fairy basslet, is a small/medium Pseudanthias species.

Females are an overall pinkish orange color on most of the body that blends to bright yellow on the tail, eye, and snout. The dorsal half of the body is more orange, and this gradually blends to a slightly more pinkish color on the ventral side of the fish. The fins of females should be rounded and not have any filaments, with the exception of the third dorsal ray which may be extended in very mature females or females that are transitioning to males. The species’ maximum size is only 3 inches, so a shoal can be housed in a relatively small amount of space. 

An aquarium of at least 70 gallons if kept alone or 120 gallons if kept in a small group with plenty of room to swim but enough places to hide will be required. Provide plenty of shady crevices and overhangs amongst the live rock so that these deeper water fish feel secure. This fish likes to swim near the bottom. Can jump out of the aquarium, therefore some sort of cover may be necessary. 

Adults can be kept with moderately pugnacious tankmates such as pygmy angelfish and medium sized tangs etc, as long as the Randall's Anthias are introduced and established first. However, be sure to avoid any large, aggressive species that would prevent the Randall's Anthias from venturing out to feed. Anthias are Reef Safe and are not normally known to bother corals or invertebrates.

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.

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. Due to their fast metabolism, they require feeding in small amounts several times per day (i.e. at least 4 times) if they are to maintain good health.

Size: Small: 1-1/2" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3-1/2"