Pseudanthias bartlettorum
Common Names: Bartletts Fairy Bass
Place Of Origin: Marshall Islands
Diet: Planktivore
Temperament: Moderate Aggression
Reef Compatibility: Reef Safe
Level of Care: Moderate
Minimum Size Aquarium: 70+
Maximum Size: 3.5 Inches
Bartlett’s Anthais are a great community fish and enjoy schooling with others of the same species in a harem of one male and several females. The Fairy Bass, as it is regularly called, due to its electric colorations and huge appetites adapt very quickly to new environments. Quickly becoming a very social fish when provided lots of room to swim throughout the water column. Pseudanthias bartlettorum are originally from the Marshall Islands where they enjoy bountiful plankton and small brine. The males can be aggressive towards other males during certain cycles and are recommended to be introduced at the same time if more than one male is to be kept simultaneously.
Given the schooling nature of Anthias, aquariums of at least seventy gallons are optional for numerous fish that can reach 3.5 inches as adults. As is common with most Anthias species, they are reef safe and seldom ever pose a threat to the live rock or coral and prefer environments that allow multiple secluded hideaways in addition to open space for school and play. It can be difficult to find developed schools consisting of one male and several females, however if no alpha male is present, this species has the adaptive capability to transform from female to male in order to reproduce.
