In the wild this is a planktivore, picking zooplankton from the passing current rather than grazing rock or substrate. Captive menus should mirror that: frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods and amphipods, and finely chopped shrimp, squid, clam, or fish flesh. Once settled, most individuals will also accept a quality flake. Releasing food into the flow rather than dropping it at the surface encourages the natural midwater feeding response and gives shyer group members a fair share.
Offer small portions at least twice daily, and understand that several smaller feedings spread across the day produce far better condition in this fish. Newly acquired specimens frequently ignore prepared foods at first; fortified live adult brine shrimp is the most reliable way to start them eating until frozen and other meaty items are accepted. A productive refugium seeding copepods and amphipods into the display is a useful supplement, but it does not replace scheduled feedings.
Choose calm, similarly mannered tankmates. Boisterous or aggressive fishes tend to keep this anthias wedged in the rockwork, where it will not eat enough to hold weight. It is reef safe and poses no reported threat to corals, sessile invertebrates, clams, shrimp, crabs, snails, or small fishes, which makes it a natural fit for mixed reef displays where its color and constant motion fill the open water above the rock.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Bartlett’s Anthias
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What minimum aquarium size should I plan for?
Plan on at least 70 gallons for adults, and consider stepping up toward 100 gallons if you intend to keep a full harem that needs substantial open swimming space. -
How often must Bartlett's Anthias be fed?
Feed small meaty or planktonic portions at least twice daily, with several small feedings spread through the day being preferable. A refugium producing copepods and amphipods supplements but does not replace those feedings. -
Should I keep one fish or a group?
This species aggregates in the wild and does best as a group or harem of one male with several females. Provide ample swimming room and rock retreats, and monitor for hierarchy-related chasing within the group.
