''Pseudanthias bimaculatus'', two-spot basslet, twospot anthias, twinspot anthias and bimac anthias, is a species of marine

ray-finned fish Actinopterygii (; ), members of which are known as ray-finned fishes, is a class of bony fish. They comprise over 50% of living vertebrate species. The ray-finned fishes are so called because their fins are webs of skin supported by bony or hor ...

from the

subfamily In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...

Anthiinae Anthias are members of the family Serranidae and make up the subfamily Anthiinae. Anthias make up a sizeable portion of the population of pink, orange, and yellow reef fishes seen swarming in most coral reef photography and film. The name Anthi ...

of the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Serranidae The Serranidae are a large family of fishes belonging to the order Perciformes. The family contains about 450 species in 65 genera, including the sea basses and the groupers (subfamily Epinephelinae). Although many species are small, in some case ...

, the

grouper Groupers are fish of any of a number of genera in the subfamily Epinephelinae of the family Serranidae, in the order Perciformes. Not all serranids are called "groupers"; the family also includes the sea basses. The common name "grouper" is u ...

s and sea basses. It is an

Indo-Pacific The Indo-Pacific is a vast biogeographic region of Earth. In a narrow sense, sometimes known as the Indo-West Pacific or Indo-Pacific Asia, it comprises the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, the western and central Pacific Ocean, and the ...

species of reefs.

Appearance

They are a medium-sized

anthias Anthias are members of the family Serranidae and make up the subfamily Anthiinae. Anthias make up a sizeable portion of the population of pink, orange, and yellow reef fishes seen swarming in most coral reef photography and film. The name Anthi ...

reaching a maximum of 5in/12 cm at adulthood. This species is sexually dimorphic, meaning the males and females have differing physical characteristics. ''Pseudanthias bimaculatus'' males are primarily red with jagged pink lines along the body. Males will have a red tail with clear to white tips. Males will typically have yellow highlights on the tail, anal fins, and head area. Males also have one or two spots on their dorsal fin, hence the scientific name 'bimaculatus', meaning two spots. Females will be primarily pink with yellow fins and tail. Females will typically have a yellow line stretching across the head through their eyes.

Diet

''Pseudanthias bimaculatus'' are primarily carnivorous. The diet composing mainly of zooplankton and floating filamentous algae in the wild. In the aquarium, a varied diet of mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, frozen preparations and other meaty items for zooplankton feeders. Multiple small feedings throughout the day are recommended for this species.

Range

It is found in various reefs of ranging in the Indo-West Pacific from East Africa, Maldives, and Indonesia. It is a deep water species typically found in coastal drop-offs.

In the Aquarium

''Pseudanthias bimaculatus'' do well when kept in an aquarium over 70 gallons. It is a deep water species that seems to do well when several hiding places are made available. It is considered a moderately difficult fish to care for and reef compatible. Like other anthias species, ''Pseudanthias bimaculatus'' share the trait of being hermaphroditic. If a dominant male perishes, the largest female of the group will often morph to take its place. They are peaceful aquarium inhabitants and will rarely bother their tankmates. The only exception seems to be males of the same species. This species may also be aggressive to other anthiae species. They are generally considered safe with any invertebrates. Possible tankmates include clownfish, blennies,

gobies Gobiidae or gobies is a family of bony fish in the order Gobiiformes, one of the largest fish families comprising more than 2,000 species in more than 200 genera. Most of gobiid fish are relatively small, typically less than in length, and the ...

, '' Chromis'', and

butterflyfish The butterflyfish are a group of conspicuous tropical marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae; the bannerfish and coralfish are also included in this group. The approximately 129 species in 12 genera are found mostly on the reefs of the Atlant ...

References

External links

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Reef Keeping Online Reference

{{Taxonbar, from=Q604440 bimaculatus Taxa named by J. L. B. Smith Fish described in 1955