Purple Queen Anthias

Description

Pseudanthias tuka (Purple Queen Anthias)

• Small fish safe: ✅ Yes

• Small invert safe: ✅ Yes

• Coral safe: ✅ Yes

• Minimum tank size: 300L+ (preferably larger for groups)

• Adult size: ~12 cm (4.7 inches)

• Diet: Planktivorous (requires frequent feedings of live copepods, amphipods, enriched frozen mysis shrimp, and similar foods)

Be aware: Delicate species—requires constant feeding and pristine water conditions. Best kept in groups with a single male and multiple females. Sensitive to transportation and acclimatization; should be introduced carefully into a well-established aquarium.

The Purple Queen Anthias, also known as the Yellowstriped Fairy Basslet, is renowned for its striking purple coloration and graceful presence in reef aquariums. However, this species is considered one of the more challenging anthias to maintain.

Appearance and Coloration

The Purple Queen Anthias is distinguished by:

• Brilliant purple body, with varying highlights of blue, red, and yellow.

• Yellow stripe along the back and upper and lower caudal-fin lobes in females.

• Males exhibit a more pointed snout, a dark blotch on the rear of the dorsal fin, extended caudal-fin lobes, and tall second dorsal and anal fin rays.

This vivid coloration makes them a sought-after species for advanced aquarists.

Natural Habitat and Behaviour

In the wild, Pseudanthias tuka are found in:

• East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, and Indonesia.

• Deep reef slopes and drop-offs, often at depths between 10 to 40 meters (30 to 130 feet).

• Large aggregations, where they form harems consisting of one dominant male and multiple females.

Their natural behaviors include:

• Planktivorous feeding, actively swimming in the water column to capture zooplankton.

• Social hierarchy, with a clear dominance structure within groups.

Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

To replicate their natural environment:

• Minimum tank size: 300L+ (79 gallons); larger tanks are recommended for groups.

• Temperature: 22–25.5°C (72–78°F)

• pH: 8.1–8.4

• Salinity: 1.020–1.025

• Water movement: Moderate to strong, to simulate reef currents.

• Lighting: Dimmed lighting initially, as they are accustomed to faint light in their natural habitat.

Maintaining high water quality is crucial, as this species is sensitive to fluctuations.

Diet and Feeding

Purple Queen Anthias have a high metabolism and require:

• Constant feeding, ideally multiple times daily.

• A varied diet including:

• Live copepods and amphipods – Essential for initial acclimatization.

• Enriched frozen mysis shrimp – Provides necessary nutrients.

• High-quality flake foods – Supplemented with vitamins and color-enhancers.

An attached refugium cultivating copepods and amphipods can provide a steady supply of live food, enhancing their diet.