Purple Queen Anthias - Female

The female Purple Queen Anthias (Mirolabrichthys tuka, formerly Pseudanthias tuka) is a spectacular saltwater fish known for its deep pink-to-purple body and brilliant yellow stripe extending along the upper back and into the upper portion of the tail. Females have a particularly striking two-tone appearance, with the vivid yellow dorsal coloration providing a dramatic contrast to the rich purple body. Their graceful shape and constant midwater activity make them one of the most visually impressive anthias for an advanced reef aquarium.

Native to the Indo-West Pacific, this species occurs from Mauritius through the Philippines and Indonesia to the Solomon Islands, Palau, and the Great Barrier Reef. Purple Queen Anthias naturally form aggregations along outer reef slopes and drop-offs, where they remain suspended above the reef and continuously pick small planktonic foods from the current.

Despite their beauty, Purple Queen Anthias are demanding marine aquarium fish and are best suited to experienced aquarists. Their primary challenge is feeding: newly imported specimens can be reluctant to accept prepared foods and require frequent access to small, appropriately sized planktonic foods. A mature reef aquarium with abundant microfauna and a consistent feeding routine offers the best environment for long-term success.

Quick Care Guide

Care Level: Expert Only
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore / Planktivore
Reef Safe: Yes
Region: Indo-West Pacific – Mauritius through Indonesia and the Philippines to the Solomon Islands, Palau, and Great Barrier Reef
Scientific Name: Mirolabrichthys tuka (formerly Pseudanthias tuka)

Tank Requirements

Provide a large, mature reef aquarium with generous open swimming space above and around the rockwork. Purple Queen Anthias are active water-column fish that naturally spend much of the day suspended above steep reef slopes, so an aquarium with substantial horizontal swimming room is strongly preferred.

Live rock should provide numerous caves, overhangs, and shaded retreats where the fish can shelter at night or escape unwanted attention from tankmates. A well-established system with a healthy population of copepods and other natural microfauna is particularly valuable for this species.

Moderate to strong, well-distributed water movement helps recreate the plankton-rich currents associated with its natural habitat and keeps small foods suspended in the water column. Strong oxygenation and efficient filtration are equally important because the frequent feeding required by this species can substantially increase nutrient input.

A securely fitted mesh screen or aquarium lid is recommended to prevent escape if the fish is startled or chased.

Diet and Feeding

The Purple Queen Anthias is a specialized planktivore that naturally consumes planktonic crustaceans and other small suspended foods throughout the day. Consistent feeding is one of the most important factors in successfully maintaining this species.

Offer copepods, enriched brine shrimp, finely sized mysis shrimp, calanus, frozen plankton blends, fish eggs, and other small marine foods. Newly introduced females may strongly prefer live or frozen moving foods and can be slow to recognize pellets, flakes, or larger prepared foods as food.

Provide at least three to four small meals throughout the day, with additional small feedings beneficial when practical. Automatic feeding of appropriately sized prepared foods can be useful after the fish has been fully conditioned to captive diets.

Closely monitor body condition and feeding response. A specimen that remains hidden or repeatedly refuses food requires immediate attention, as this species can lose condition quickly when inadequate calories are consumed.

Temperament and Tankmates

Female Purple Queen Anthias are generally peaceful toward unrelated marine fish and are less aggressive than many larger anthias species. Suitable tankmates include peaceful fairy and flasher wrasses, gobies, blennies, cardinalfish, tangs, and other reef-safe fish that will not continually intimidate them.

Avoid highly aggressive or excessively boisterous tankmates that may keep the anthias hidden or prevent it from feeding. Because frequent access to food is essential, competition from aggressive feeders can be particularly problematic.

Purple Queen Anthias naturally occur in groups and develop a social hierarchy. Females are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning a dominant female can transition into a male if the social structure changes. Groups require ample space, numerous retreats, and careful observation to ensure subordinate individuals continue feeding.

Reef Compatibility

The female Purple Queen Anthias is considered reef safe and is an excellent choice for coral-dominated aquariums when its demanding feeding requirements can be met.

It does not normally consume or damage stony corals, soft corals, clams, or other sessile reef organisms. It is also generally compatible with ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, and other established reef invertebrates.

Copepods and other tiny planktonic crustaceans will naturally be consumed as part of its feeding behavior, making a mature reef system with abundant microfauna especially beneficial.

Water Parameters

Temperature: 75–80°F
Specific Gravity: 1.024–1.026
pH: 8.1–8.4
Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

Maintain highly stable, well-oxygenated water with excellent overall water quality. Strong filtration and consistent nutrient management are particularly important because multiple daily feedings are necessary. Stability is more important than attempting to maintain one exact value within these ranges.

Common Considerations

• Challenging feeder: Some specimens are reluctant to accept prepared foods and may initially require copepods, frozen plankton, or other small enticing foods.

• Frequent feeding: Multiple small meals throughout the day are essential for maintaining proper body condition.

• Mature aquarium preferred: Established live rock and abundant natural microfauna significantly improve the feeding opportunities available to this species.

• Female coloration: Females display a distinctive bright yellow stripe along the upper back and into the tail against a deep pink-to-purple body.

• Sex transition: A dominant female may transition into a male when the social structure of an established group changes.