Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
Site Supported in Part by:
Premium Aquatics 

Odontanthias

Odontanthias fuscipinnis

(Jenkins, 1901)

Yellow Anthias

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Central Pacific Ocean: Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Island.

Size: 6 inches (15 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits deep caves on rocky reefs and usually found singly at depths between 150 to about 300 feet (45 – 90 m), yet is known to be found down to 900 foot depths (260 m), where its never far from its hiding areas and feeds on zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Extremely rare and very expensive when seen in the trade! Quite attractive, having a high, bright orange/lemon-yellow body.

Best maintained in dimly lit aquaria with rocky caves, yet maintainable in brightly lit reef aquariums, however would spend most of its time in its darkest areas and only come out when its feeding time. Tankmates should be peaceful.

As to diet, will eat most regular aquarium foods, e.g., finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc., and should be offered at least twice daily and dispensed close to where it spends most of its time.

Sometimes difficult to get feeding, and if so, fortified live adult brine shrimp and/or small glass/grass shrimp may be necessary to get it feeding.

Taxonomy:

    Order: Perciformes

    Suborder: Percoidei

    Family: Serranidae

    Subfamily: Anthiinae

    Genus: Odontanthias

FYI: One per aquarium.

Previously listed in the Holanthias genus.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 80°F (22 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Odontanthias fuscipinnis (Yellow Anthias)
Photo © Charles Delbeek
Site Supported in Part by:
San Francisco Bay Brand