Name: Borbonius Anthias - Odontanthias borbonius
Brand: TSA Fish
SKU: ANTHIASxBorb
Price: 649.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Borbonius (Blotchy) Anthias Fish (Odontanthias borbonius)

Borbonius Anthias - Odontanthias borbonius

$649.99

Borbonius Anthias - Odontanthias borbonius

Anthias Reef Safe

$649.99

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Diet

Pellets Mysis Finely Chopped Seafood

Min Tank Size 100 gallons

Temperament Peaceful

Reef Safe Yes

Care & Diet Feeding, nutrition, and best practices.

Diet Type: Carnivore

Barbonius Anthias are planktivores, requiring a varied diet to maintain their health and coloration. Feed them small, frequent meals throughout the day, consisting of high-quality frozen or live foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and copepods. Supplement their diet with vitamin-enriched flake or pellet foods designed for marine fish. Ensuring a diverse diet helps prevent nutritional deficiencies and supports their immune system.

Pellets Mysis Finely Chopped Seafood

Behavior Temperament, activity level, and interactions.

Temperament: Peaceful

Barbonius Anthias exhibit active swimming, often darting between coral structures. They are social, forming large shoals for protection and feeding. Generally non-territorial, they coexist peacefully with other non-aggressive species. However, they may exhibit dominance within their shoal. Compatible with similar-sized reef fish, they thrive in groups, reducing stress and encouraging natural behaviors.

Tank & Aquascape Tank requirements and aquascaping tips.

Min Tank Size: 100 gallons
Max Size: 6 inches
Care Level: Moderate
Origin: Indo-Pacific

Compatibility Tank mates, aggression, and introduction order.

Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Safe: Yes

Anthias Reef Safe Carnivore

Reef & Health Reef safety, common issues, and prevention.

Reef Safe: Yes
Care Level: Moderate

FAQs Answers to the most common questions.

How do I acclimate Barbonius Anthias to a bright reef tank without stressing their deepwater eyes and pale coloration?

Start them in a dimly lit quarantine tank using mostly blue spectrum, then gradually increase intensity over 2–3 weeks. When moving them to the display, set your lights to a reduced “acclimation” schedule (50–60% of normal intensity) and ramp up over another 2–3 weeks. Provide multiple shaded areas with overhangs and caves so they can choose comfort zones. Avoid sudden light changes (no abrupt on/off; use ramping over 30–60 minutes). Keeping the top half of the tank slightly dimmer and high rockwork with ledges will help them feel secure and keep their colors from washing out.

Barbonius Anthias are known to be shy and reclusive. How can I get them to spend more time in the open water column?

Use a peaceful dither fish such as small flasher or fairy wrasses to signal safety. Build a rockscape with archways and tunnels that open into visible “rooms” rather than tight caves so they can hover at the edges while still feeling covered. Keep boisterous tangs and large angels to a minimum or add them only after your Barbonius are fully settled. Feed small, frequent portions of meaty foods (mysis, calanus, finely chopped seafood) in the same area of the tank; consistency helps them associate that zone with food and safety. Limit sudden movements in front of the glass for the first few weeks and avoid tapping or cleaning aggressively while they acclimate.

My Barbonius Anthias eats frozen food but refuses pellets. Is it important to get them on dry food, and how can I do it without starving them?

It’s not mandatory but very helpful long term, especially if you travel or rely on autofeeders. Mix very small, high-quality micro pellets (0.5–1 mm) with their favorite frozen foods so the pellets are coated in scent. Start with a low pellet ratio (10–20%) and gradually increase over 2–3 weeks. Target-feed near their hiding spots with a turkey baster so pellets drift naturally in the current. Avoid withholding all frozen food; instead, shorten feedings slightly, so they are hungry but not stressed. Some individuals never fully accept pellets, so maintain a strong frozen regimen and consider refrigerated liquid foods if they remain pellet-averse.

What is the ideal social structure for Barbonius Anthias in captivity, and how do I minimize aggression within a group?

Keep either a single specimen or a harem with one clear dominant individual and several subordinates (for this larger anthias, 1 male and 2–4 females in a 6-foot tank is typical). Introduce them all at once, or add the largest fish last to reduce bullying. Provide multiple vertical levels and broken sight lines so subordinates can move out of view quickly. Heavy feeding (3–4 small meals per day) limits competition-based aggression. If one fish is constantly harassed—torn fins, hiding all day—use an acclimation box to separate the aggressor or the victim until the group stabilizes, then reintroduce under observation.

Because Barbonius Anthias are collected from deeper water, are there special decompression or health issues I should watch for after purchase?

Yes. They are prone to barotrauma if not decompressed properly during collection and transport. On arrival, inspect for positive buoyancy, distended bellies, bulging eyes, or abnormal swimming (spinning, head-down floating). Choose vendors who specifically state that these fish are hand-collected and slow-decompressed. Place new arrivals in a low-stress quarantine with moderate flow, subdued light, and ample cover. Avoid aggressive netting or rapid vertical movement in buckets. If mild residual buoyancy issues are present but the fish is eating and active, they often resolve with time; do not attempt to vent the swim bladder unless you are extremely experienced, as improper venting can be fatal.

Goes well with:

You will receive a fish SIMILAR in design and size to the fish in the photo. This is NOT a WYSIWYG fish.

Borbonius Anthias – Odontanthias borbonius

The Borbonius Anthias, also known as the Blotchy Anthias or Checked Swallowtail, is a spectacular saltwater fish with a soft pink-to-lavender body covered in irregular golden-yellow blotches. Large reflective eyes, tall dorsal spines, and violet, blue, and green highlights along the fins give this deepwater species exceptional color and detail under aquarium lighting.

Native to the Indo-Pacific, Odontanthias borbonius ranges from South Africa to Palau, north to Japan, and south to Indonesia. It inhabits mesophotic and deep rocky reefs at approximately 70–300 meters, remaining close to caves and protected ledges. Adults reach about 6 inches in standard length and are often observed singly near deep reef shelters.

Its bold pattern, compact but substantial build, and generally calm behavior make it a desirable centerpiece for a mature reef aquarium or peaceful fish-only aquarium. Successful care depends on shaded retreats, excellent water quality, gentle acclimation to bright lighting, and frequent offerings of appropriately sized meaty foods.

Quick Care Guide

Care Level: Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore / Planktivore
Reef Safe: Yes
Region: Indo-Pacific—South Africa to Palau, north to Japan, and south to Indonesia
Scientific Name: Odontanthias borbonius

The species reaches approximately 6 inches in standard length and naturally occupies deep reef habitats.

Tank Requirements

Provide a mature aquarium with substantial live rock arranged into deep caves, shaded overhangs, vertical ledges, and narrow retreats. Leave open space through the middle of the aquarium for feeding and short periods of midwater swimming, but ensure that secure shelter is always nearby.

Because the Borbonius Anthias originates from deep, dimly illuminated reefs, newly introduced specimens may remain hidden under intense reef lighting. Provide shaded areas and allow the fish to adjust gradually rather than forcing it into a brightly exposed aquascape. Established individuals often become more visible once they associate the aquarist with feeding.

Moderate, well-distributed water movement and excellent oxygenation are appropriate. Include calmer zones inside the rockwork where the fish can rest without fighting strong flow. A specialized substrate is not required, although reef sand or fine gravel works well. Use a secure lid or mesh cover, particularly during acclimation.

Diet and Feeding

The Borbonius Anthias is a carnivorous planktivore that naturally feeds on zooplankton around deep reef caves and rocky ledges. Offer small foods that remain suspended in the water column or drift close to the fish’s preferred shelter.

Suitable foods include mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, calanus, finely chopped krill, shrimp, clam, squid, and quality frozen carnivore blends. Small slow-sinking marine pellets may be accepted once the fish is established.

Feed two to three small portions daily. Newly imported specimens can be reluctant to eat and may respond better to enriched live brine shrimp, copepods, or finely chopped seafood delivered near their cave. Confirm that the fish is maintaining a full body profile and receiving enough food before faster tankmates consume it.

Temperament and Tankmates

This species is generally peaceful toward unrelated marine fish but may become territorial with other Borbonius Anthias or similarly shaped anthias competing for shelter. Keep a single specimen in most aquariums. A compatible pair may be attempted in a substantially larger system with multiple caves, but randomly combining mature individuals can result in aggression.

Suitable tankmates include peaceful tangs, rabbitfish, clownfish, cardinalfish, fairy wrasses, assessors, gobies, and other non-predatory community fish. Avoid aggressive triggers, large dottybacks, predatory groupers, and highly competitive fish that may intimidate it or prevent it from feeding.

Introduce the Borbonius Anthias into a quiet, established aquarium and allow it time to claim a retreat. Initial hiding is expected, especially under bright lighting or when active tankmates are present.

Reef Compatibility

The Borbonius Anthias is considered reef safe. It does not normally damage healthy stony corals, soft corals, zoanthids, anemones, clams, or other sessile reef inhabitants. It is suitable for coral-focused displays when its deepwater acclimation needs are accommodated.

Copepods, amphipods, larval crustaceans, and other very small planktonic animals may be consumed as part of its natural diet. Established ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, and other larger reef invertebrates are generally ignored.

Water Parameters

Temperature: 72–78°F
Specific Gravity: 1.024–1.026
pH: 8.1–8.4
Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

This deepwater anthias benefits from excellent oxygenation and temperatures toward the cooler end of the tropical marine range. Captive broodstock have been maintained in cool, dim conditions designed to reflect their natural habitat. Avoid rapid temperature changes and prioritize long-term stability.

Common Considerations

Provide shaded retreats: Newly introduced specimens may remain hidden under intense reef lighting.
Feed several small meals: Frequent offerings of plankton-sized meaty foods support healthy body condition.
Keep singly in most aquariums: Territorial behavior may occur between conspecifics and similar anthias.
Allow a patient acclimation period: A reserved new arrival may feed only near its cave before becoming comfortable in open water.