The Waitei Anthias is a visually striking and vibrantly colored small anthias species. These fish display a predominantly orange to red body accented with yellow highlights, and their fins exhibit shades of purple and blue. Males are typically more vividly colored than females.

The Waitei Anthias can grow up to 3 inches in length and require a minimum tank size of 40 gallons. They are generally peaceful and coexist well with other fish, corals, and invertebrates, making them an excellent choice for most reef aquariums.

It is advisable not to house Waitei Anthias with larger, aggressive fish, as they are not adept at self-defense. This also applies to other aggressive anthias species. They thrive in environments with ample live rock for hiding and tanks with strong, varied water flow. Preferring cooler waters, they are best suited to lower temperature tanks. They do well in small groups, either all females or one male with several females. In the absence of a male, the dominant female will transform into a male.

As carnivores, Waitei Anthias need a diet rich in meaty foods. They may be reluctant to eat initially, but live feeder foods can encourage them to start feeding. Over time, they will accept mysis and brine shrimp, high-quality frozen foods, and premium flake and pellet foods. Being active fish, they benefit from being fed small meals multiple times a day.

Feel free to reach out to us anytime with questions about Waitei Anthias and whether they are suitable for your aquarium.

• Temperament: Peaceful
• Tank Requirement: 40 Gallons
• Max Length: 3 inches
• Color Palette: Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink, Purple
• Dietary Needs: Carnivorous
• Native Regions: Fiji, Indonesia
• Reef Suitability: Compatible
• Skill Level: Advanced
• Water Parameters: 72-80?F, SG 1.020-1.027, pH 7.9-8.5
• Alternate Names: Purple Pygmy Anthias, Magenta Slender Anthias

Size Categories: Tiny: Up to 1 inch, Small: Over 1-1.5 inches, Small/Medium: Over 1.5-2.5 inches, Medium: Over 2.5-3.5 inches, Medium/Large: Over 3.5-4.5 inches, Large: Over 4.5-5.5 inches, Extra Large: Over 5.5-6.5 inches, Extra Extra Large: Over 6.5-7.5 inches, Show Size: Over 7.5-9.5 inches, Jumbo: Over 9.5 inches