Anthias Dispar (Nemanthias dispar)

Description

Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons

Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: Yes

Water Conditions: 72-78 F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025

Max. Size: 4“

Color Form: Orange, Purple, Red, White, Yellow

Diet: Carnivore

Origin: Fiji, Indonesia, Maldives, Solomon Islands

The Dispar Anthias is commonly known as the Madder Seaperch. Males have a bright red dorsal fin and lack any red stripes on their tail. The female may display a yellowish-orange on the top and pale lavender to white on the underside.

The Dispar Anthias is a reef inhabitant in the wild. It is a shallow water species that thrives best in a 125 gallon aquarium with one male and up to ten females. When housed singly, 70 gallon tank is sufficient.

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 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.