Red Bar Anthias (Pseudanthias cooperi)

The Red Bar Anthias is also known as Cooper's Anthias. Males have a light pink coloured body with a vertical red bar in the mid-section of the body. Females display a more orange tone with a silvery belly and red tail. Males and females both sport a light blue edging around most of their fins. Red Bar Anthias have a wide range from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean from East Africa, to Samoa, Japan and Australia.

Red Bar Fairy Anthias generally stay in the middle levels of the tank, but also require plenty of caves, ledges, and other hiding places. They can grow to a length of approximately 11cm. Although a 320L tank will suffice for one fish, if keeping a group of one male and several females, a 570L tank or larger tank is needed.

Anthias species all share the trait of being hermaphroditic. If a dominant male perishes, the largest female of the group will often morph to take its place.

Once acclimated to a new aquarium, Anthias do best when fed a varied diet of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched frozen brine shrimp, and over time may eat high-quality flake foods offered in small quantities multiple times throughout the day. An attached refugium cultivating copepods and amphipods provides a steady supply of nutritious live food sure to keep this active planktivore content.


Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Colour Form: Orange, Pink, Red, White
Diet: Carnivore
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: sg 1.020-1.025, 23-26° C, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 11cm
Family: Serranidae
Minimum Tank Size: 320L