Common name: Bartlett's Anthias
Scientific name: Pseudanthias bartlettorum
Max size: 3.5 in / 9 cm
pH: 8.1-8.4
Salinity: 1.020-1.025
Temperature: 72-78ºF (22-26°C)

Bartlett's anthias is one of the easiest anthias species to care for. This does however not mean that they re suitable for beginners. They can be kept by intermediate and advanced marine fish keepers. This species is popular but can be hard to find in the trade.

Bartlett's anthias is a real eye catcher. The lower body is pink or purple while the upper third of the body is yellow. The tailfin displays bright blue lines at the upper and lower edge of the tailfin.

Although Bartlett's anthias is a hardy fish it can be quite sensitive until it has properly acclimatized itself to your aquarium. They ship poorly and fish might be in less the ideal condition when you get them. Allow them 4 hours to adapt to your marine aquarium before you release them. The Bartlett's anthias is very timid until it feels at home in your aquarium and it is important that there are no aggressive or semi-aggressive species in your tank during this time. It is therefore a good idea to introduce this species first in to your aquarium. (Do not introduce until your aquarium is well established.) Once they have adapted to their new environment they become much tougher.

Bartlett's anthias can once established be kept in an aquarium with more aggressive species such as dwarf angels.

Bartlett's anthias is very suitable for reef aquariums and will not hurt any ornamental invertebrates. They do prefer a little softer light than corals but the lighting can be set to fit the corals as long as there are shaded areas in the aquarium for the fish.

Bartlett's anthias is found in large groups in the wild. Each group contains a few males and a few dozen females.

Bartlett's anthias originates form the Pacific Ocean where it is found in the water surrounding Palau, Kosrae in Caroline Islands, Kwajalein in Marshall Islands, Nauru and Fanning Islands in Kiribati, and Tonga. There might be other yet undiscovered populations as well.

Bartlett's Anthias care and aquarium setup

Like all anthias species the Bartlett's anthias need to be kept in a rather large aquarium despite their small size. This fish should not be kept in an aquarium smaller than 50 gallon / 200 L,  and a 100 gallon / 400L (350L) aquarium is to be preferred if you want keep a group.

Bartlett's anthias live in open water above coral reefs and want your aquarium to mimic this environment. They want plenty of open space to swim in as well as lot of hiding places among live rock. Try to create at least one large overhang where the fish can rest shaded from the light. Bartlett's anthias prefer strong moving water and a well circulated aquarium with some calmer areas. Make sure that you keep the water quality high and stable.

Ideal conditions for the Bartlett's anthias are pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025 and temperature 72-78ºF (22-26°C).

Feeding Bartlett's Anthias

Feeding your Bartlett's anthias correctly is as with all anthias species one of the most important factors in keeping them happy and healthy. It is important to make sure that they get enough food. They need to be fed very often and should ideally be fed 4-5 times a day. Bartlett's anthias feeds on plankton in the wild. In aquariums they will need to be provided with a variety of different small food types. They sometimes but not always accept flake food. Suitable food items to include in a varied diet are frozen vitamin enriched brine shrimp, daphnia, mysid shrimp, frozen food mix for omnivores, and finely chopped sea food.

Breeding Bartlett's Anthias

Sexing Bartlett's anthias is possible as males are larger and often more colorful than females. They are protogynous hermaphrodites. This means that all fish are born as females and if something happens to the male, e.g. if he falls prey to a predator, the largest dominant female turns into a male. This process can be completed in just a couple of weeks. If you buy a group of juvenile Bartlett's anthias you will end up with a harem group. Bartlett's anthias have as far as we know not been bred in aquarium. It is an egg laying species.

Anthias Articles

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