Pseudanthias ignitus

(Randall & Lubbock, 1981)

Flame Anthias, Indian Flame Anthias

Range: Indian Ocean: Maldives and Andaman Sea.

Size: 3 inches (7 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits outer-reef slopes where they form small groups and usually found at depths between 10 to about 50 feet (3 – 15 m) where it feeds on zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Extremely rare in the trade, yet quite attractive. Has a yellowish-reddish body (depending upon area of collection) with the male having a bright red dorsal fin, with the female having only a bright red edging on the dorsal fin.

One of the more problematic species in this family diet-wise to maintain. Best maintained in aquaria with some rocky caves and strong water movement that has a large unencumbered area for schooling, which will occur in the upper third of this area. Tankmates should be peaceful and all should be last to enter the aquarium.

As to diet, often difficult to get feeding, and if so, fortified live adult brine shrimp may be necessary until they accept other types of aquarium foods, e.g., frozen foods and fresh marine fish and invertebrate flesh. Once accepting regular aquarium foods, those foods should be finely chopped and be offered at least twice daily, and dispensed upstream so water currents carry food to their location.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Serranidae

Subfamily: Anthiinae

Genus: Pseudanthias

FYI: Can jump out of the aquarium, therefore some sort of cover may be necessary.

Difficult to maintain long-term.

Exceptionally timid - best left in the wild.

Experience Level: Intermediate/Profession

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: 100 gallons

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

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5