Carberryi Anthias (Nemanthias carberryi)

The Carberryi Anthias is a peaceful and strikingly beautiful fish, known for its vibrant coloration and active schooling behavior. This species is perfect for reef tanks, where it adds both color and movement. Carberryi Anthias are hardy and generally easy to care for, making them a popular choice for both beginner and advanced aquarists. They do best when kept in groups, with one dominant male and several females, mimicking their natural harem structure.

Care Information

• Maximum Size: Up to 3 inches.
• Tank Size: 70 gallons minimum; larger tanks are recommended if keeping a group of these fish, as they prefer to swim in the open water column.
• Diet: Carnivorous; thrives on a diet of small meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood. Multiple feedings per day are recommended due to their high activity level. Offering high-quality frozen and pellet foods helps to maintain their vibrant coloration and health.
• Water Temp: 72-78°F.
• Salinity: 1.020-1.025.
• Aggression: Peaceful; best kept in groups of one male and several females. They can coexist well with other peaceful tankmates, making them a perfect addition to community reef tanks.
• Skill Level: Intermediate; while hardy, they require stable water conditions and multiple daily feedings to thrive.
• Reef Compatibility: Reef-safe; does not harm corals or invertebrates and adds a peaceful dynamic to reef environments.

Special Feature - Sexual Dimorphism
Carberryi Anthias exhibit clear sexual dimorphism, making it relatively easy to distinguish males from females.

• Males: Males are typically more vibrantly colored, with a deeper pink to purple hue along their bodies, and they often display a striking yellow coloration at the caudal fin. Their vibrant coloration becomes more pronounced during courtship or when establishing dominance.
• Females: Females tend to have a lighter pinkish or orange body coloration and lack the more intense purple and yellow highlights found in males. They are generally smaller and less colorful but remain an attractive addition to the group.

Schooling Behavior
Carberryi Anthias thrive in a social environment and are best kept in groups with one dominant male and several females. In this harem structure, the dominant male often displays brighter colors, and females may transition to males if the dominant male is removed or lost. Their active swimming behavior brings a lively and dynamic presence to the aquarium.

Coloration

• Indian Ocean Region: The Carberryi Anthias displays a range of colors, including shades of pink, purple, and yellow, with the males exhibiting more intense and striking coloration. Their vibrant appearance and schooling nature make them a visually captivating addition to any reef tank​.

Typical Habitat

• Distribution: Native to the Indian Ocean, particularly around the Maldives, Seychelles, and nearby regions, Carberryi Anthias are typically found in schools along reef slopes and outer reef zones, where they feed on plankton and small invertebrates in the water column.