Scribbled Bimaculatus Anthias

Description

Juv/Female Scribbled Bimaculatus Anthias, Pseudanthias bimaculatus, also go by the name Twin Spot Anthias.

These Anthias have purple bands across their face and incredibly vibrant pink bodies. As the name suggests, red or pink scribbles adorn these fish. Female Scribbled Bimaculatus Anthias have a bright yellow dorsal, caudal and anal fin. Whereas the Male are red backed and have red caudal fins. They also have a purple spot in their dorsal fin.

These fish range from East Africa to Indonesia and the Maldives, in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. They live on and around: coral reefs, steep slopes, channels, drop offs or caves. The structures help the fish dodge predators. When scared, they will quickly vanish and fix themselves into nooks and crannies.

In nature, Scribbled Bimaculatus Anthias feed passively, as do most types of Anthias. Which means they stay in relatively still positions, while facing the current. When Pelagic zooplankton drifts towards them in the water, the fish snatch their food up. With this method, the hunters easily get hold of small critters and eggs, while using up the smallest amount of energy possible. Feeding is fairly constant, although other behaviours break up this activity.

Juv/Female Scribbled Bimaculatus Anthias are fish that live in social groups, with one male to around 5 or more females. Scribbled Bimaculatus Anthias are protogynous hermaphrodites. Which means when the top male dies, the largest female in the group will turn male. It will then become the new breeding male. As a result, all juvenile Scribbled Bimaculatus Anthias, are in fact immature females.

Scribbled Bimaculatus Anthias In the Aquarium.

It is important to have good currents and regular feeding in order to copy the natural environment. A wave maker can help with this. Owners should think about using a jump guard to stop any loses.

Female Scribbled Bimaculatus Anthias do best when fed a varied diet. They will accept frozen mysis shrimp and  frozen brine shrimp.

They will also eat live foods, such as copepods and amphipods, that can be cultivated in attached refugium. Over time, these fish may have small amounts of high quality flake food as well.

Our Anthias are adapted to aquarium life and most are eating a good quality frozen food, enriched with garlic guard  and vitamins, before being offered for sale. We enrich all our frozen food with garlic and vitamins. These are great for keeping fish healthy long term.

We find that the best way to keep this species is in a small group. Hobbyists should aim to keep at least 1 Male Scribbled Bimaculatus Anthias with 3 or more females.