Stocky Anthias

Pseudanthias hypselosoma

Saltwater Fish Species Group: Anthias Family: Serranidae

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Water parameters

Temp 76-80 F Temperature

Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.

pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of Hydrogen

Measuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.

NO3 1-20 ppm Nitrate

While less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.

NO2 <0.0001 ppm Nitrite

It is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia

PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm Phosphate

It is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.

NH3 <0.1 ppm Ammonia

It is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death

Ca 380 - 450 ppm Calcium

Supporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae

KH 8 - 12 dKH Alkalinity

It acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.

Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm Magnesium

It enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.

SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG Salinity

Essential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals

ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction Potential

A higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.

About Stocky Anthias

General information

The Stocky Anthias is a beautiful and colorful fish that can be found in the Indo-Pacific region. They can grow up to 4.5 inches (11 cm) in length and are known for their stocky body shape. These fish are active swimmers and can be kept in reef aquariums, but they require plenty of swimming space.

Diet & nutrition

In the wild, the Stocky Anthias feeds on zooplankton and small crustaceans. In captivity, they can be fed a varied diet that includes frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and other meaty foods. It is important to feed them multiple times per day to ensure they are getting enough nutrition.

Determining sex

Males of the Stocky Anthias are larger and more colorful than females. Males also have a larger dorsal fin and a more pronounced lyre tail.

Breeding & spawning

The breeding behavior of the Stocky Anthias in captivity is not well documented. However, in the wild, they are known to form harems with one dominant male and several females. The male will defend the harem from other males and fertilize the eggs that the females lay.

Diseases

The Stocky Anthias is generally hardy and disease-resistant if kept in optimal conditions. However, they can be susceptible to common fish diseases such as marine ich and velvet if their water quality is poor.

Origination

The Stocky Anthias is found in the western Pacific, from the Philippines to the Solomon Islands.

Acclimation process

When introducing the Stocky Anthias to a new aquarium, it is important to acclimate them slowly. This can be done by floating their bag in the aquarium water for about 15-20 minutes, then adding small amounts of aquarium water to the bag every 10-15 minutes until the water volume has doubled. Then, the fish can be gently netted and released into the aquarium.

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