Bali Lunate Anthias

The Bali Lunate Anthias is an uncommon deepwater Anthias rarely seen in the aquarium trade. Similar in appearance to the popular Bimaculatus Anthias, the Bali Lunate Anthias is a gorgeously colored fish demonstrating beautiful shades of rosy-pinks and reds intermingled with veins of golden yellow coloration. In contrast to the Bimaculatus Anthias, the Bali Lunate Anthias has slightly more pronounced pelvic and anal fins, each terminating to a sharp point. The most distinguishing feature of the Bali Lunate Anthias is perhaps its namesake lunate (moon shaped) caudal fin.

The Bali Lunate Anthias initially may be difficult to acclimate to a quarantine system. The Bali Lunate Anthias are collected in waters of up to 196 feet deep and prefer low to moderate lighting conditions initially but will over time adapt to aquariums with stronger lighting. The Bali Lunate Anthias may also find shipping stressful contributing to their difficulty in acclimating. Once the Bali Lunate Anthias has completed its quarantine period and are sturdy enough to introduce to your display aquarium, they will thrive and become peaceful members of your aquarium with other peaceful fish. The Bali Lunate Anthias should be introduced into your aquarium before other more active, territorial fishes so they can settle in with limited stress.

As with many anthias species, the Bali Lunate Anthias can be kept singly but does best in small shoals comprised of several individuals. Members of the Anthias group all share the trait of being hermaphroditic. If a dominant male perishes, the largest female of the group can morph into a fully functioning male to take its place. To recreate habitat for the Bali Lunate Anthias, aquascape liberally with live rock, creating numerous caves and other hiding places. Be sure to maintain open areas and plenty of surface area for proper water oxygenation. For a dramatic aquarium display, consider a steep reef profile, perhaps with a slight overhang to provide additional shelter as well as diffused lighting.

Once acclimated to a new aquarium, Anthias do best when fed a varied diet of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched frozen brine shrimp, and over time may eat high-quality flake foods offered in small quantities throughout the day. An attached refugium cultivating copepods and amphipods provides a steady supply of nutritious live food sure to keep this active planktivore content.