| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Planktivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 120 gallons |
| Max Size | 8 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 2.25 - 4.25" - SSC Certified - Central Pacific |
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| Out of Stock | 2.25" or smaller - SSC Certified - Central Pacific |
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| In Stock | 2.25 - 4.25" - SSC Certified - Male - Central Pacific |
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Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
The Stocky Anthias (Pseudanthias hypselosoma) is a reef-associated anthias with a pink-to-orange body, a red saddle pattern, and yellow tones toward the tail, often with fine blue-lilac edging on the fins. It comes from Indo-Pacific reefs, reported from areas spanning the Maldives to Samoa, and north to Taiwan.
What You’ll Observe:
- Hovering in the water column near rock ledges, then making short, quick dashes back to cover
- A “check-in” routine where it comes forward when you approach the glass, especially near feeding time
- In groups, a clear social order with more frequent displaying from the dominant fish
- Fast, accurate feeding strikes on small foods drifting in the flow
Provide a reef aquascape with overhangs and caves plus open mid-water swimming space so it can settle into a predictable loop through the rockwork. Offer small, meaty foods in several small feedings through the day to match its natural, frequent-feeding style, and keep flow moving food through the water column. A tight-fitting lid helps keep normal startle-dashes contained to the aquarium.
Do Stocky Anthias change sex in captivity?
Yes—like many anthias, the dominant fish in a group can shift into the male role over time, and color/intensity can change as the hierarchy stabilizes.
Why did mine “disappear” into the rockwork at first?
It’s common for new arrivals to pick one or two favorite crevices and spend more time there until they learn the tank’s rhythms and feeding schedule.
Is chasing in a group normal?
Short chases and “posturing” are typical social behavior, especially around feeding and when the group is still sorting out a pecking order.
Will they eat pellets, or do they stay on frozen foods?
Many start most reliably on smaller frozen options, then learn pellets once they associate your feeding routine with food arriving in the flow.
How do I reduce sudden darting and jumping behavior?
Keep lighting changes gradual, minimize fast movements at the glass during the first week, and maintain a secure lid/mesh top as part of the setup.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
