Keeping the Jewels of the Reef:
The Anthias of the Genus Pseudanthias - Part 3

One real problem with keeping these fishes in the reef aquarium is to ensure that they get enough to eat. Many reef aquarists are reluctant to frequently add fish food to the tank. The average reef-keeper may only feed their fish once a day, or in some cases, less often than that. The premise is, if you add lots of food, pollutant levels (e.g., dissolved organic materials) are more likely to rise, which could lead to poor water quality and associated algal blooms. Since zooplankton is usually in short supply (at least the amount required to nourish one or more zooplankton-feeding fishes) anthias often suffer from malnutrition in the reef aquarium. Today, more reef aquarists are employing effective foam fractionators (protein skimmers) to help reduce the build-up of certain pollutants. Also, coral caretakers are also beginning to realize that many of these invertebrates "appreciate" the addition of these foods as they can be an important source of nutrients for corals as well as fish. If you are reluctant to frequently feed fish in your reef tank, stay away from anthias!

So how often do you need to feed anthias? I would suggest that most species need to be fed at least 3 times a day. If you can, it is best to feed them small amounts, as frequently as you can. Some of the healthiest anthias communities I have seen were fed an almost constant "drip" of live brine shrimp during the daylight hours. One way to facilitate anthias feeding is incorporate a refugium to your aquarium system. A refugium is a separate tank that is free of predators where the aquarist can culture a variety of plankton and other small, invertebrates. The refugium is a tank placed below or alongside the aquarium. There are also a number of pre-made models available that can be hung inside or on the outside of the aquarium. In the former type of refugium the water, and associated planktors, are typically pumped into the main aquarium. The problem with this system is that some of the planktors may be killed when they are pulled through the pump. In the case of the "hanging" refugia, water is slowly pumped (e.g., 10 to 15 gallons per hour) from the display tank into the refugia and water, along with some of the small animals that it contains, pour directly into the tank over an overflow. This prevents the zooplanktors from being disabled or destroyed by the pump's impeller.

Zooplankton culture, like mysid shrimp, copepods and amphipods, are available that can be added to the refugia. These small crustaceans can be fed aquarium flake food and plant material and are typically very prolific. They provide a natural and constant food source for any anthias housed in that aquarium. They also provide a more nutritional food source, that can facilitate chromatic fidelity in these fishes, which are notorious for losing their color. Another advantage to having a well-stocked refugia is that you will not have to introduce food as frequently to ensure your anthias gets enough to eat.

Frozen mysis shrimp have also made it easier to keep certain Pseudanthias spp. as these fish have a hard time resisting these tiny crustaceans. Make sure the frozen mysid you use is not a mushy mass when thawed. Rather, the shrimp should be whole and solid. Place a chunk of frozen mysids into a cup of water from the aquarium and then pour off the water and associated swill before actually adding the shrimp to your aquarium (this will reduce the amount of pollutants you are introducing to your system). One problem with mysids, is that they lack some pigments required to keep your anthias from losing their brilliant colors. Supplement a mysid diet with some of the color enhancing flake foods. Many of the anthias will accept flake foods once they have fully acclimated to captivity.

Another great anthias food that has only recently appeared in aquarium stores is Cyclop-EEZE®. This is a very nutritious food (e.g., high HUFA and protein content), it remains in suspension longer than many foods, and most anthias love it (larger Anthiines may ignore it)! Because of its tendency to stay in suspension, it gives zooplanktivores more time to pick the food particles out of the water column. When you feed them, it is best to place the food in the out flow of a water pump, so that it moves through the water column like their natural prey. I should point out, that coral's love to eat it too!