The Breeder’s Registry© Information contained in this report is taken from submitted
observations from aquarist unless noted otherwise (see comments). Information may be
reproduced providing the Breeder’s Registry is cited.

Breeder ID: PSESQU-092595-BRIKAR-004

Date received: 9/25/95

Identification: Pseudanthias squamipinnis (Peters 1855)

Geographic origin: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea

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Taxonomy: after I.C.Z.N.)

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata

Subphylum Vertebrata

ClassOsteichthyes

Subclass Actinopterygii

Infraclass Teleostei

Superorder Acanthopterygii

Order Perciformes

Suborder Percoidei

Family Serranidae Subfamily Anthiinae

Genus Pseudanthias (Bleeker, 1873)

Species squamipinnis (Peters 1855)

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Description: A member of the Family Serranidae (Sea Basses) the Subfamily Anthiinae (Fairy basselets) are colorful schooling fish which are sometimes referred to as Coral Perches. A schooling species in nature with pronounced “harem” behavior. Females are typically 7 cm in length. Transition phase (female to male) is 6 – 9 cm in length and maintains the female coloration (reddish orange with a violet iris). The males reach 12 cm with a violet body and a distinct violet spot on the pectorals fins. The first rays of the dorsal fin also becomes elongated.

This species has a wide Indo-Pacific range from Australia, South Africa, Indonesia and into the Red Sea. It has been collected at depths from 15 – 55 feet. 

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Duration male(yr): 3.0

Size male (mm): 100

Duration female 1 (yr): 3.0

Size female 1 (mm): 80

Duration female 2 (yr): 3.0

Size female 2 (mm): 70

Broodstock notes: Collected December 8, 1992. Kept in a community tank with other Anthias, blue tangs, rabbitfish, Tridacna clams and daisy corals.

Physical differences: Male is larger and has elongated first dorsal spine.

Adult diet: Flake food (Tetra® and Wardleys® ), gelatin diet, frozen and newly hatched Artemia. Each item fed once per day. One fasting day per week.

Pre-spawning activity: Swimming behavior appears very calm, then a quick “rush” involving a
male and a female.

Time spawning began: 15 – 30 minutes after dusk

Area spawning occurred: upper half of water column

Frequency of spawning: sporadic (April 5, 6, 17)

Egg description: Typical pelagic eggs. 1 – 6 drops of oil in each egg.

Approximate quantity: ~300

Size: 0.65 mm

Egg changes / development: not indicated

Incubation period: 24 hours

Time hatching occurred: after dark (next evening)

Size of hatching larvae: 0.52 mm

Yolk sac present? Yes

Newly hatched appearance: Huge yolk sac at time of hatching, much larger than larvae. Phototaxic

Transfer / removal method: Dipped out with fine mesh net

 

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Spawning tank size (liter): 750

Sides of tank covered? Yes, pale blue

Lighting & photo period: 2 400 watt metal halide ~60 cm off surface, 12 hours. Natural sunlight

Filtration: semi-open system, natural marine well (Waikiki Aquarium)

Additives and dosages: none indicated

Water temperature (F): 82

Specific gravity: 1.023

pH: 7.7

Nitrate : not indicated

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Fry development / changes: Survived only to day 4. No gut contents but mouth appears large enough for prey 50 micron

First food offered: rotifers, copepod nauplii

Survival 1st week(%): 0 (4 days)

Development description: no long term survival from two (2) attempts

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Rearing tank size (liter): 75

Sides of tank covered? Yes, black

Lighting & photo period: 1 20 watt cool white flourescent. 24 hour photo period

Filtration: none, 33% daily water changes

Additives and dosages: none indicated

Water temperature (F): 79

Specific gravity: 1.023

pH: 7.9

Nitrate: not indicated

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Comments: Report submitted by Karen Brittain, Staff member Waikiki Aquarium

Original description: First described by Peters as Serranus squamipinnis, in 1855 in Monatsb.
Akad. Wiss. Berlin 1855; ref. 3449. A single specimen was collected near Mozambique, 15degS.
Also described as new in Peters 1855; ref. 13448. Katayama. 1984 in Masuda et al. validated it
Franzia squamipinnis. It was previously validated in 1982 by Allen & Starck as Anthias
squamipinnis, Dor 1984, Heemstra & Randall 1986, Paxton et al. 1989, and Lee 1990.

All taxonomical information refers to this species as Anthias squamipinnus, however, it was
reported as Pseudanthias squamipinnus and is listed likewise by Debelius & Baensch, 1994.
Pseudanthias is listed under the description Anthias gibbosus by Klunzinger, 1884 which is
recognized as a synonym of A. squamipinnus. The National Museum of Natural History,
Smithsonian, includes both genus within the same species collections. Pseudanthias is
recognized as a Pacific genera having 45 species. Anthias is recognized as an Atlantic species
having 6 species .(Paxton & Eschmeyer, 1995)

Synonym: Anthias (Pseudanthias) gibbosus, Klunzinger 1884

Vernacular name: Jewelled basselet, Scalefin anthias

Word origin: The genus Anthias is from the Greek word anthus meaning flower or brilliancy.
(pseud is Greek for false). The species squamipinnus is from the Latin root(s) squami meaning a
scale; and pinn meaning a fin, feather or wing.

Suggested reading:

Debelius, Helmut, & Baensch, Hans A., Marine Atlas, 1994, Tetra Press, 3001 Commerce
Street, Blacksburg, VA 24060 USA, ISBN 1-56465-113-4

Paxton, John R., & Eschmeyer, William N., Encyclopedia of Fishes, 1995, Academic Press Inc.,
525 B Street, Su1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495, USA ISBN 0-12-547660-4

Thresher, R. E., Reproduction in Reef Fishes, 1984, T. F. H. Publications, Inc., 211 West
Sylvania Avenue, Neptune City, NJ, 07753, USA, ISBN 0-87666-808-2

About this report: Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations.
Taxonomy, Description, Original description , Word origin and Suggested reading are provided
by member(s) of The Breeder’s Registry staff. Information is presented under the belief that it is
accurate. If you have information in addition to, or contrary to that presented you are encouraged
to contact the Breeder’s Registry. Permission is granted for “one-time” personal use.
Reproduction as distributed or accessible media is prohibited without prior written permission.
All rights reserved. 1997