Pick a fish that swims actively in open water; avoid fish hiding in the corals, or whose head looks too big and back sunken, a sign of weight loss. Smaller specimens ship better and acclimate more readily than large ones. As with any marine fish, a 2–4 week quarantine in a separate tank limits the risk of bringing parasites into your display.
Newly added anthias are often skittish: a light suddenly switching on or off, or your hand in the tank, can trigger spectacular leaps. Avoid sudden changes during the first weeks.
It is one of the most aggressive anthias, but also one of the hardiest. In a group the pecking order is harsh: subordinate females are harassed, hide, stop eating and die one after another, and the male wears himself out chasing his tankmates. For a group, plan a large tank (at least 125–130 US gallons, about 470–490 litres), a single male for four to six females or juveniles, and add all of them at the same time. In a smaller tank keep a single fish; a lone male may however lose his colours and look more like a female.
It mostly uses the middle of the tank but likes several hiding places. It enjoys strong current and clean, well-oxygenated water; in strong flow the fish stay closer together. It leaves invertebrates alone and works as a dither fish that draws shy species into the open. Avoid dottybacks, angelfish, hawkfish and large damsels, which can harass it to death.
A healthy anthias swims in open water, feeds eagerly and keeps a well-filled back. Recommended parameters: about 22–26 °C (72–78 °F), specific gravity 1.020–1.025, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity 8–12 dKH.
