FOTW ~Pseudanthias bartlettorum~

[NaH2O]

Fish Of The Week is Pseudanthias bartlettorum, commonly referred to as Bartlett's Anthias.

This species is one of the easier anthias to keep in captivity. Even though they don't get very large (max size ~3.5 inches), they do require plenty of swimming room in the upper portion of the tank. To help acclimate this species to the captive environment, they should be provided with plenty of hiding spots, and non aggressive nor highly competitive tankmates.

In the wild, Bartlett's Anthias form groups of several males with 30 or more females and juveniles. Also, they will often form aggregations with other fish at shallow depths. These fish include Dispar Anthias, Whitley's Slender Anthias, Fusilier Damselfish, and Midas Blenny, which will all develop similar coloration when associated together (social mimicry). Another characteristic of Bartlett's Anthias is that they are sexually dichromatic and sexually dimorphic. Females have a yellow back, yellow caudal fin and a lavendar body with a narrow violet line on the top of the head, along the anterior dorsal fin base. Males, on the other hand, are violet with a yellow band starting just behind the eye, running along the back and onto the upper caudal lobe. The lower caudal lobe is also bright yellow. 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.

In the aquarium, Bartlett's Anthias are said to be belligerent toward other anthias and other zooplankton feeders with a similar shape. Males shouldn't be kept with members of their own kind or other Pseudanthias species, unless in a larger aquarium.

Pseudanthias bartlettorum are found on steep outer-reef slopes, dropoffs, and in reef channels. They depend on the current to transport their zooplankton prey to them. Feed a variety of meaty foods, such as mysis, vitamin-enriched brine, and frozen preparations for zooplankton feeders.

Anyone keep these? If so, what size tank and how many do you have?

 

[bradreef]

I have always wanted a school of anthias but dont always hear positive things.

 

[steve-s]

From what I've discovered (research wise), most of their inability to adapt is our inability to provide the right environment as well as choosing the most suitable species. Lower lighting, ample rockwork for natural food and to hide are usually (but not always) a factor. Anthias in general prefer dimly lit tanks as apposed to highly intense (reef) lighting that could be a source of severe stress. Even then, they are not always the easiest to adapt to non-live foods unless the hobbyest goes the extra step to provide it. Weining them over once adapted is possible, although getting them to eat in the first place can be the biggest challenge. It really depends on the exact species for sure.

Some like the Bartlett mentioned here seem to adapt the best but it is quite important to feed often and to keep them in large "harems" with only one male. The security of the group does tend to help alot and make the success rates higher. They also need rather large tanks for swimming room.

Pseudanthias bartlettorum are found on steep outer-reef slopes, dropoffs, and in reef channels. They depend on the current to transport their zooplankton prey to them.

Cheers
Steve

 

[steve-s]

Don't know if anyone will find this article of interest. Definately made me rethink a few "common (mis)beliefs".

http://www.reefs.org/library/talklog/s_michael_030401.html

Cheers
Steve

 

[Beckmola24]

I've noticed a vast difference in coloration of the bartlett pictures I've seen. My LFS has a bunch right now and they are a very pale pink and yellow. Can their true bright colors be obtained by improving their diets or will they stay pale?? I've attached a picture from MarineDepot Live of a Bartlett's Anthias. Notice how extremely bright this one is... Could it be that they only get this colorful when the males are mating?

 

[NaH2O]

Becky - I'm not sure if the coloration becomes more vibrant once the anthias are comfortable in their new environment and reestablish a heirarchy, or if it is diet related. Perhaps a little of both. According to Reef Fishes by Scott Michael

It is important to feed your anthias a varied diet. Some of the frozen foods with added vitamins, pigments and amino acids will help maintain good condition and color. Salmon flesh is fed in some public aquariums to maintain the bright colors of captive anthias.

I have recently heard about a food Golden Pearls sinking pellet. I took a peek at it, and it seems pretty good. It may be helpful in getting the coloration back. GP Golden Pellet - Sinking

Here is a recent article: Anthiinae - the Fancy Basses by Anthony Calfo

 

[64Ivy]

I've kept a shoal of Bartlett's (among others) for several years now. This shoal has numbered anywhere from 15 down to 7 as I've had to replace a few from time to time. But I have others that've managed to hang in there for nearly four years. I'd love to know what their approximate life span in the wild would be. I'm assuming it's not very long as their purpose seems to be food for just about everything else. I feed my Bartletts twice a day; a staple of PE Mysis (soaked in Selcon) and supplimented with either Formula 1, Prime Reef, or Enriched Brine, all from Ocean Nutriton. They seem to really enjoy the food being placed near a return so they can chase it down. Also, twice a week, I'll treat them to some Cyclop-eeze, which seems to cause a veritable feeding frenzy no matter where in the water columnI put it.

In the few times I've purchased replacements, I've always made sure that the new fish were young (prepubescent) so as to not generate any fights. But interestingly, in regards to the 'old timers' , it seems that I have more than one male. At least I think I do if I am to assume that the photographic evidence of their sexual differences is correct. This doesn't seem to cause any real problems though. Occasionally, the pair will lock jaws and wriggle about for a second but neither ever suffers any real damage. I have also witnessed what I believe to be spawning behavior upon several occasions. amongst this species.

They are usually perpetual energy machines and just observing them can actually make me tired. But I've also seen them rest beside a coral stand or in between pieces of live rock for a good long while, so apparently even they can get winded from time to time. They do not seem to 'school' much, by the way. Even when startled they will take off in a dozen different directions as if each has its own private hiding place. At night however, most seem to favor bedding down in a couple of large coral heads that I appropriately call 'The Condos'. It's probably the most time they spend together.

And finally, they seem to be prone to getting 'bubble eye' every once in awhile...at least mine do. And while at its worst, it can look absolutely grotesque, I've found the best treatment is to do nothing. It always goes away in a few days. Great fish if you have the room.

 

[dgasmd]

This had always been a fish I wanted to try in a small group. I recently had 12 females (1 female turned male from there) squamimpis and they were doing well, so I figured this was a good time to add the Barletts. I added 9 females and within minutes of hitting the tank they were eating flakes like it was their natural food. They have stayed pretty active and very much of an itneractive group with each other. They are being fed like all the other fish once to twice per day. I must say the probably should be fed more often. They appear not to be as bulky as the squaminpinis though, but mre active nevertheless.

30 green chromis will be added in about a week to complete my fish pack. We'll see how they all interact and get along. I was also going to add about 12 purple queen anthias, but given their long term records, I will put them off for a while.