Bartlett's Anthia Male (Pseudanthias bartlettorum)

Max Size: 3 1/2 inches
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons

The Bartlett's Anthias, also known as Bartlett’s Fairy Bass, exhibits striking coloration differences between males and females. Males boast a captivating violet body with a yellow streak running along the back to the upper caudal lobe, while females display a lovely lavender hue with a yellow back and caudal fin.

To ensure the well-being of Bartlett's Anthias, it's advisable to keep them in a species-specific tank with a minimum capacity of 70 gallons. However, they can also thrive in peaceful fish-only marine aquariums or mixed reef setups. Their vibrant presence enhances any part of the tank as they freely explore all regions of the water column.

To replicate their natural reef habitat, aquascape the tank with plenty of live rock, creating slopes, caves, and overhangs for a diverse and interesting landscape. Adequate water movement, facilitated by a powerhead or wavemaker, is crucial for mimicking the conditions of a reef environment, where high water quality is a must.

One intriguing characteristic of Anthias species is their hermaphroditic nature. In the absence of a dominant male, the largest female in the group can undergo morphological changes to take on the role.

When introducing Bartlett's Anthias to a new aquarium, it's essential to offer a varied diet to ensure their nutritional needs are met. They thrive on a menu consisting of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched frozen brine shrimp, and high-quality flake foods, given in small quantities throughout the day. For a continuous supply of nutritious live food, setting up an attached refugium cultivating copepods and amphipods is highly beneficial and keeps these active planktivores content.