Diamond Anthias Pseudanthias parvirostris (male and 2 females)

Sunset Anthias Pseudanthias parvirostris, also go by the name Diamond Head Anthias. As the names suggest, these fish have a pink diamond pattern on their head. They are a warm orange or peach colour and have pink flecks along their body. These are superb fish to keep and look amazing in a group.

These fish range from: the Maldives, the Solomon islands, Japan and Australia, in the Indo- West Pacific Ocean. They live on and around: coral reefs, steep slopes, channels, drop offs or caves. The structures help the fish dodge predators. When scared, they will quickly vanish and fix themselves into nooks and crannies.

In nature, Juv/Female Sunset Anthias feed passively, as do most types of Anthias. Which means they stay in relatively still positions, while facing the current. When Pelagic zooplankton drifts towards them in the water, the fish snatch their food up. With this method, the hunters easily get hold of small critters and eggs, while using up the smallest amount of energy possible. Feeding is fairly constant, although other behaviours break up this activity.

These are fish that live in social groups, with one male to around 5 or more females. Sunset Parvirostris Anthias are protogynous hermaphrodites. Which means when the top male dies, the largest female in the group will turn male. It will then become the new breeding male. As a result, all juvenile Sunset Anthias, are in fact immature females.

It is important to have good currents and regular feeding in order to copy the natural environment. A wave maker can help with this. Owners should think about using a jump guard to stop any loses.

Sunset Anthias do best when fed a varied diet. They will accept frozen mysis shrimp and enriched frozen brine shrimp. They will also eat live foods, such as copepods and amphipods, that can be cultivated in attached refugium. Over time, these fish may have small amounts of high quality flake food as well.