Stocky Anthias - Male

The Stocky Anthias (Pseudanthias hypselosoma) is a robust, colorful marine aquarium fish prized for its warm pink, orange, yellow, and cream coloration and its active presence in the water column. Compared with many other anthias species, it has a deeper, heavier-bodied profile that gives it its distinctive “stocky” appearance. Mature males typically develop stronger coloration and more pronounced fin shapes, while females display softer pink-to-orange tones.

Native to the Indo-Pacific, this species inhabits protected reefs, lagoons, and bays, where groups gather above coral and rocky structure to feed on drifting plankton. In a well-established saltwater aquarium, Stocky Anthias bring constant movement and vivid color to the midwater zone. They are well suited to larger reef aquariums and fish-only aquariums when provided with ample swimming room, secure retreats, and frequent feeding.

Although moderately demanding because of their active feeding habits and social behavior, Stocky Anthias can become hardy, rewarding aquarium residents once acclimated. Their combination of substantial adult size, attractive coloration, and natural schooling behavior makes them especially appealing for aquarists with spacious marine systems.

Quick Care Guide

Care Level: Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore / Planktivore
Reef Safe: Yes
Region: Indo-Pacific, from the Maldives eastward through the western and central Pacific, including southern Japan and the Great Barrier Reef
Scientific Name: Pseudanthias hypselosoma

Tank Requirements

Stocky Anthias require a spacious aquarium with a combination of open swimming areas and substantial rockwork. Arrange live rock to create caves, ledges, and shaded retreats while keeping the center and upper portions of the aquarium open enough for active midwater swimming.

Good oxygenation and moderate to strong water movement are beneficial and help recreate the plankton-rich reef environments where anthias naturally occur. A mature aquarium with stable water quality is strongly preferred.

A secure lid or tightly fitted aquarium cover is recommended. Anthias can make sudden upward movements when startled and may jump from uncovered systems. Because this species can reach approximately 7 inches or more and is normally quite active, adequate long-term swimming space should be considered from the beginning.

Diet and Feeding

In nature, Stocky Anthias primarily feed on zooplankton and other small drifting organisms captured from the water column. Captive specimens should receive a varied diet of nutritious meaty foods.

Offer frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped marine seafood, copepods, quality frozen marine blends, and appropriately sized high-protein pellets or flakes once accepted. Newly introduced specimens may respond especially well to moving frozen or live foods.

Anthias have relatively high energy requirements and generally perform best when fed several small meals throughout the day rather than one large feeding. Automatic feeders can be useful for providing small portions of suitable pellets between frozen-food feedings.

Temperament and Tankmates

Stocky Anthias are generally active community fish but can display considerable social aggression within their own species. A dominant male typically maintains a hierarchy among females, and subordinate fish should have sufficient space and rockwork to retreat from occasional chasing.

They may be kept singly, but their natural social behavior is best displayed in appropriately sized groups in large aquariums. When keeping a group, a harem consisting primarily of females with one male is generally preferable to maintaining multiple mature males in limited space.

Suitable tankmates include other moderately peaceful marine fish that are not excessively aggressive or competitive at feeding time. Avoid housing them with highly territorial species that may prevent them from reaching food or repeatedly force them into hiding. Caution is also appropriate when adding similarly shaped anthias to an established group.

Reef Compatibility

Stocky Anthias are considered reef safe and are an excellent choice for appropriately sized reef aquariums. They do not normally damage corals, clams, or other sessile reef organisms and spend much of their time feeding from the water column.

They are also considerably less threatening to ornamental invertebrates than predatory marine fish. Normal caution should still be exercised with exceptionally small mobile organisms that could potentially be mistaken for food, but established ornamental shrimp, snails, and crabs are generally suitable tankmates.

Water Parameters

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

Stable, well-oxygenated water conditions are more important than continually attempting to adjust the aquarium toward a specific number within these ranges. Avoid sudden changes in temperature, salinity, or other major water parameters.

Common Considerations

• Frequent feeding is important. Several smaller meals throughout the day generally suit the natural feeding behavior of anthias better than a single large meal.

• Stocky Anthias can reach approximately 7 inches or more and require substantial open swimming room as adults.

• Social hierarchy can lead to chasing and aggression within a group, particularly when multiple dominant fish are present.

• Newly introduced specimens may initially remain close to rockwork and can benefit from a calm environment with readily available food.

• Use a secure aquarium lid, as startled anthias may jump.