Sunburst Anthias

The sunburst anthias differs from other anthias in its taller, stockier body. The scales on its pink-orange body have yellow edges, and yellow lines radiate from around the eye. Because it was long considered close to the hawkfish, it is also known in English as the "swallowtail hawkfish"; today it is grouped with the anthias. In the wild it lives in dim settings in caves and beneath overhangs. Specimens are wild-collected.

• At least 200 liters; a rock layout with caves, overhangs and shaded areas.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• Reef-safe; it leaves corals and invertebrates alone.
• Under strong lighting it prefers to stay in the shade.

Carnivorous. Frozen mysis, copepods, enriched brine shrimp, fish roe and small granules. Small amounts 2–3 times a day; during the first days, offering food towards the mouth of its cave boosts its appetite.

Peaceful and shy. Unlike most other anthias, it lives comfortably alone; in a large aquarium a small group can also be kept. It may be slightly territorial towards its own kind.

Good companions: Clownfish, cardinalfish, gobies, fairy and flasher wrasses, dwarf angelfish, cleaner shrimp.

Avoid: Lionfish, dottybacks, large and aggressive species, very fast fish that snatch the food.