Painted Anthias (Pseudanthias pictilis)

Fish in the family Serranidae. Moderate care. Reef Safe.

Painted Anthias

Quick facts

Scientific namePseudanthias pictilis
FamilySerranidae
Care levelModerate
Reef safetyReef Safe
TemperamentPeaceful
Dietplanktivore
Adult size5 in
Minimum tank size75 gallons
Water parametersTemperature: 72-78°F pH: 8.1-8.3 Salinity: 1.023-1.025
Feeding schedule3-4 times daily

Appearance

Small, elongated fish with vibrant coloration featuring orange-red body with white or pale vertical stripes. Males display more intense red coloration and can show a prominent dorsal spine and extended fin rays.

Diet and feeding

Feed high-quality marine flakes, frozen mysis shrimp, and copepods. Multiple small feedings daily are essential to match their natural grazing behavior on zooplankton in the wild.

Difficulty and care for the Painted Anthias

Moderate - Requires some experience due to specific dietary water or tank requirements. Best suited for intermediate aquarists.

Common health issues

Marine ich, Fin Rot, Swim Bladder Disorder, Velvet, Hole in the Head

Origin and habitat

Indo-Pacific region, from the Philippines and Indonesia south to Australia, found in deep reef environments.

Log Painted Anthias in your reef tank

Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Painted Anthias alongside everything else in your reef.