Purple Queen Anthias, Pseudanthias tuka

Purple Queen Anthias (Pseudanthias tuka) 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, Purple Queen 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 Purple Queen Anthias , aqua scape 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, the Princess Anthias do best when fed a varied diet of enriched 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 planktivory content.