Fancy Bass
Fancy Bass, Pseudanthias bicolor, is a relatively new find to the aquarium world, being named as a unique species in 1984. Its coloration fades from an orange-yellow dorsal region to a pale yellow ventral side. Shades of orange pink, and purple are frequently seen throughout the body, depending on the individual specimen, aquarium conditions, and lighting. The fish of this family are also commonly called Fairy Basslets in some parts of the country. Their gorgeous flowing fins no doubt inspired the Fairy reference and the Basslet portion of the name recognizes that they are the little cousins of Sea Basses and Groupers. Because of their small size, they do not pose a threat to other fish and make wonderful reef inhabitants. A typical meal for an Anthias is comprised of zooplankton and small animals such as Brine Shrimp and copepods. In the wild, Anthias form large schooling groups on the reefs. A single male (the largest of the group) will claim part of the reef as his and fight off other males that try to invade. The other Anthias present are juveniles and females, which the male keeps a watchful eye on. For aquariums, the females should be introduced first and a male at a later date.
Approximate Arrival Size for Fancy Bass: Small: 1 to 2 inches; Medium: 2 to 3 inches
Detailed Information about this animal.
