The Purple Queen Anthias (Pseudanthias tuka) is a beautiful and colorful saltwater fish, that is also commonly referred as Yellow Striped Fairy Basslet, Amethyst Anthias, or the Sailfin Anthias and will do well in established reef tanks. The female Purple Queen Anthias, is hermaphroditic meaning all are born females, and when needed the dominant female turns into male. Though they are one of the few Anthias species that does not display sexual dimorphism. They feature a muted pink/purple body, blue edging on its fins, and a multi-colored face with a yellow chin. Here are some care tips specifically for the female Purple Queen Anthias.
The recommended tank size for a single Purple Queen Anthias is at least 50 gallons. They prefer a well-lit aquarium with plenty of hiding places and open swimming areas. They also like a moderate water flow, so make sure to provide adequate filtration.
Keep the water temperature between 72-78°F and the pH between 8.1-8.4. It's important to maintain stable water conditions, so test the water regularly for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.
Purple Queen Anthias are carnivores, so feed them a varied diet of frozen or live meaty foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, krill, and other small crustaceans. They have small mouths, so make sure to provide small pieces of food that they can easily swallow.
Female Purple Queen Anthias are peaceful and can be kept in a group of 3-6 individuals in a large enough tank. However, make sure to introduce all the fish at the same time to avoid aggression. They may also fight with other Anthias species, so avoid keeping them together.
Keep an eye out for signs of disease or stress, such as loss of appetite, rapid breathing, and color fading. Perform regular water changes and quarantine new fish before introducing them to the main tank to prevent the spread of disease.
Overall, the Purple Queen Anthias is a stunning fish that can thrive in a well-maintained aquarium with proper care and attention.
