Pictilis Anthias - Female - New Caledonia

Pseudanthias pictilis Pictilis Anthias are brilliantly colored reef fish that bring vivid pink, orange, and yellow hues to any aquarium. Best kept in groups, they thrive in a harem structure with one male and several females. Like other anthias, they are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning the dominant female can transform into a male if needed. In harems, males display vibrant colors and actively protect and interact with the females, creating an engaging and dynamic display. Native to the Indo-West Pacific, Pictilis Anthias inhabit outer reef slopes at depths of 60–100 feet, where dimmer light prevails. To mimic their natural environment, provide plenty of rock with caves, crevices, and overhangs for shelter, as well as open mid-water swimming space. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as they may jump when startled. Males are strikingly vibrant with a pinkish front body blending to orange-red in the rear, accented by a blue patch near the tail. Females are more subdued, with orange-pink coloration fading to yellow toward the tail. Peaceful and reef-safe, they make excellent community fish when housed with other non-aggressive species. With their high metabolism, Pictilis Anthias require a varied diet of meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafoods, or specialized carnivore preparations. To maintain health and coloration, they should be fed at least twice a day. Reaching up to 6 inches, they need a minimum tank size of 100 gallons, with larger systems preferred for groups.