{"product_id":"bimaculatus-anthias-male","title":"Bimaculatus Anthias - Male","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe male Bimaculatus Anthias, \u003cem\u003ePseudanthias bimaculatus\u003c\/em\u003e, is a striking saltwater fish prized for its intense pink, red, and lavender coloration. Mature males develop intricate magenta to violet markings across the body, contrasting fin accents, and the characteristic dorsal spotting associated with the species. Its active midwater swimming behavior and vivid coloration make it an impressive centerpiece for larger reef aquariums and fish-only marine aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the Indo-West Pacific from East Africa through the Maldives to Indonesia, this species naturally inhabits reef-associated coastal drop-offs, often in deeper water. In captivity, it performs best in a mature, stable aquarium with excellent water quality, generous swimming space, and plenty of rockwork for shelter. Although generally compatible with peaceful community fish, adult males can be assertive toward other anthias, particularly competing males. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 125 gallons\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-aggressive\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carnivore \/ Planktivore\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indo-West Pacific – East Africa, Maldives, and Indonesia\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePseudanthias bimaculatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a mature, well-established aquarium with substantial open swimming space above and around the rockwork. Bimaculatus Anthias are active water-column swimmers, so a long aquarium with unobstructed areas is preferable to a densely packed aquascape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLive rock should include caves, overhangs, and shaded retreats where the fish can shelter at night or withdraw from more assertive tankmates. Moderate to strong, well-distributed water movement and high oxygenation are beneficial, while efficient filtration helps compensate for the frequent feeding schedule anthias require.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA secure lid or mesh cover is strongly recommended because anthias can jump, particularly when newly introduced or startled. Adults can reach approximately 5–5.5 inches, making generous swimming room important for long-term housing. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet and Feeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn nature, \u003cem\u003ePseudanthias bimaculatus\u003c\/em\u003e is adapted to feeding on small planktonic animals and crustaceans suspended in the water column. Captive specimens should receive a varied, protein-rich marine diet offered in small portions several times throughout the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable foods include enriched mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, frozen plankton, finely chopped marine seafood, high-quality frozen carnivore blends, and appropriately sized marine pellets. Foods that drift through the water column often produce the strongest feeding response. Aim for at least two to three small meals daily, with additional small feedings beneficial when practical. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Tankmates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMale Bimaculatus Anthias are generally compatible with unrelated community fish but may become territorial toward other anthias. A mature male can aggressively challenge another male, particularly when both are competing for the same swimming and sheltering areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey may be maintained as a single specimen or as one male with several females in an appropriately sized aquarium. Avoid keeping multiple mature males together unless the system is exceptionally large and provides extensive swimming space and visual barriers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable companions include clownfish, gobies, blennies, fairy and flasher wrasses, tangs, and other non-predatory marine fish. Extremely aggressive or predatory tankmates may intimidate anthias and interfere with their frequent feeding behavior. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bimaculatus Anthias is considered reef safe and does not normally damage or consume stony corals, soft corals, clams, or other sessile reef organisms. It is also generally compatible with ornamental shrimp, crabs, and snails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a natural planktivore, it will consume copepods and other very small planktonic organisms present in the aquarium, but this behavior does not normally present a concern in an established reef system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–80°F\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecific Gravity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.024–1.026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlkalinity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–12 dKH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStable, consistent water conditions are more important than repeatedly adjusting the aquarium to achieve an exact number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Considerations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRequires frequent small feedings due to its natural planktivorous feeding strategy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdult males can be territorial toward other anthias, especially other males.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a secure aquarium cover because anthias may jump when startled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA mature aquarium with open swimming space, strong oxygenation, and multiple sheltered retreats is recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBimaculatus Anthias are protogynous, with dominant females capable of transitioning into males as social conditions change. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"TSA Fish","offers":[{"title":"S (\u003c2.6\")","offer_id":52663926194474,"sku":"ANTxBimS","price":194.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"M (2.6-3.5\")","offer_id":52664222187818,"sku":"ANTxBimM","price":194.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"ML (3.6-4.5\")","offer_id":52664222220586,"sku":"ANTxBimML","price":209.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"L (4.6-5.5\")","offer_id":52664222253354,"sku":"ANTxBimL","price":233.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XL (5.6-6.5\")","offer_id":52664222286122,"sku":"ANTxBimX","price":251.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XX (6.6-7.5\")","offer_id":52664222318890,"sku":"ANTxBimXX","price":260.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/BimacAnthias_85759b56-1260-4d56-aef8-73afb11d0ec4.png?v=1789739217","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/bimaculatus-anthias-male","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}