Fathead Sunburst Anthias: Species Profile and Care Guide
Introduction
The Fathead Sunburst Anthias (Serranocirrhitus latus), often simply referred to as the Sunburst Anthias or Fathead Anthias, is a strikingly colorful fish with a personality to match its brilliant appearance. Known for its vibrant orange, yellow, and pink hues, this anthias is a favorite among marine aquarists looking for a peaceful yet visually captivating addition to their tanks. Although a bit shy compared to other anthias species, the Fathead Sunburst Anthias can thrive in a well-maintained and appropriately sized aquarium, offering hours of fascination with its unique behaviors and colors.
Species Overview
- Scientific Name: Serranocirrhitus latus
- Common Name: Fathead Sunburst Anthias, Sunburst Anthias, Fathead Anthias
- Size: Up to 5 inches (12 cm)
- Lifespan: 5 to 7 years in captivity
- Natural Habitat: Deep reefs and overhangs in the Western Pacific
- Diet: Carnivorous
Appearance and Behavior
The Fathead Sunburst Anthias stands out due to its vibrant, fiery appearance. Its body features a mix of golden-yellow and pinkish hues, with deep orange highlights. This fish gets its “fathead” name from its slightly larger head compared to other anthias species, giving it a unique and endearing profile.
Unlike other more active and fast-swimming anthias species, the Fathead Sunburst Anthias has a more subdued and shy personality. They often prefer to spend their time hovering in the mid to lower regions of the tank, staying near caves or overhangs. They thrive in peaceful community tanks and are less likely to engage in aggressive behavior with tank mates, but they do require places to hide and feel secure.
Care Requirements
Tank Size
The Fathead Sunburst Anthias requires a minimum tank size of 70 gallons to thrive, especially if you plan to keep a pair or group. These fish enjoy swimming space but also need rocky crevices and caves where they can retreat when feeling threatened. A larger tank with plenty of vertical space for swimming and hiding spots is ideal.
Water Parameters
Sunburst Anthias are relatively hardy, but they do best in stable, high-quality water conditions. Maintaining optimal parameters will ensure your fish remains healthy:
- Temperature: 72°F to 78°F (22°C to 26°C)
- pH: 8.1 to 8.4
- Salinity: 1.023 to 1.025 Specific Gravity
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: Below 20 ppm (keeping nitrate levels low is important for their overall health)
Regular water changes (20% weekly) and efficient filtration are critical to maintain the water quality that this species demands.
Aquascaping
Sunburst Anthias feel most comfortable in tanks with plenty of hiding spots. Aquascaping with live rock, caves, and overhangs is essential to provide the secure environment they need. The tank should also have moderate water movement to simulate their natural habitat of deep reef areas, but avoid creating overly strong currents, as these fish prefer a calmer environment.
Feeding and Diet
The Fathead Sunburst Anthias is a carnivorous species with a high metabolism, so they need to be fed small meals multiple times per day. In the wild, they feed on zooplankton and small invertebrates drifting in the water. In captivity, a varied diet consisting of meaty foods like frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood will keep them healthy.
To ensure a balanced diet, you can also supplement their meals with high-quality marine pellets or flake foods designed for carnivorous fish. Feeding 2-3 times a day is ideal to meet their dietary needs.
Compatibility
Fathead Sunburst Anthias are peaceful and do well in community tanks with other non-aggressive species. Ideal tank mates include:
- Gobies
- Blennies
- Fairy and flasher wrasses
- Other small anthias species
- Tangs (especially those with calm temperaments)
While they can be kept with other anthias, avoid overly aggressive or territorial species, as these can cause stress. If keeping multiple Sunburst Anthias, it’s best to maintain one male per tank or group, as males can become territorial with one another.
Unlike some anthias species, the Sunburst Anthias does not need to be kept in large schools, and a single specimen or a pair can do well in most setups.
Breeding
Breeding Fathead Sunburst Anthias in captivity is rare but not impossible. Like other anthias species, they are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning all individuals start as females, with dominant individuals potentially transitioning to males. In the wild, anthias spawn in harems, with one male and several females.
To encourage breeding in an aquarium, maintaining excellent water quality and providing a spacious, peaceful environment are key. However, due to the depth at which they spawn in the wild, replicating their natural breeding conditions can be challenging in a home setup.
Common Issues and Health Concerns
The Sunburst Anthias is relatively hardy, but like all marine fish, they are susceptible to common ailments like Marine Ich and Velvet, particularly when stressed by poor water conditions or aggressive tank mates. To prevent health issues, it’s important to:
- Perform regular water changes to maintain clean, stable water.
- Quarantine any new fish before introducing them to the main tank.
- Provide a peaceful environment with plenty of hiding spaces.
If illness does occur, treating the affected fish in a hospital tank with appropriate medications is the best course of action. Fathead Sunburst Anthias can recover well if caught and treated early.
Final Thoughts
The Fathead Sunburst Anthias is an ideal choice for aquarists looking for a vibrant, peaceful species that adds beauty and interest to a marine tank. While they require a bit more care and attention, particularly regarding diet and tank setup, their stunning appearance and calm behavior make them a standout in any aquarium.
By following this care guide, you can ensure that your Fathead Sunburst Anthias thrives in your tank, providing years of enjoyment with its colorful, graceful presence.
