Randalls Anthias

Pseudanthias randalli

Saltwater Fish Species Group: Anthias Family: Serranidae

Log in or create an account to add this species to your tanks.

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 Randalls Anthias

General information

Randalls Anthias are a popular and colorful saltwater aquarium fish. They are small in size, reaching up to 4 inches (10 cm) in length. They are peaceful fish that can be kept in groups of one male to several females. These fish are easy to care for and have a good lifespan of up to 5 years.

Diet & nutrition

Randalls Anthias are carnivorous and require a varied diet that includes meaty foods such as frozen mysis shrimp, krill, and other small crustaceans. They can also be fed small amounts of high-quality flake or pellet food, but these should not be their primary diet.

Determining sex

Male Randalls Anthias have a more elongated dorsal fin and a more pronounced coloration than females. Males also have more pointed ventral fins.

Breeding & spawning

Randalls Anthias are not commonly bred in captivity. They are pelagic spawners and release their eggs into the water column. The eggs then hatch into larvae, which require specialized food and care.

Diseases

Randalls Anthias are generally hardy and resistant to disease, but like all saltwater fish, they can be susceptible to ich and other common aquarium diseases. Proper water quality and regular monitoring can help prevent disease outbreaks.

Origination

Randalls Anthias are found in the Western Pacific, specifically around Japan and the Philippines.

Cautions

Randalls Anthias are generally peaceful, but males can become aggressive towards other males or similarly shaped fish.

Acclimation process

When introducing Randalls Anthias to a new aquarium, it is important to acclimate them slowly to avoid stress and shock. Float the bag containing the fish in the aquarium water for about 20 minutes to allow the water temperatures to equalize. Then, open the bag and add small amounts of aquarium water to the bag every 5-10 minutes. After about 30-40 minutes, the fish should be ready to be released into the aquarium.

All photos

Tap a photo to open the gallery viewer.