Description
Due to its unique colour variation, the Square back Anthias is also known as the Square spot, Purple Blotch, Square block, Square, or Mirror Anthias. The body of the female is predominantly yellow with a lavender belly, and often a thin blue line extending from nose to pectoral fin. Males are predominantly pink with a lavender belly and have a lighter rectangular shape on the side.
This variety of Anthias does best in an aquarium with low, indirect lighting or its brilliant colors will fade. Although preferring to remain at the mid-tank level, they have been found at depths up to 600 feet in the wild. A 100 gallon tank will suffice for one fish, however, if keeping a group, a 180 gallon tank should be used since the Square back Anthias appreciates plenty of room to swim.
Anthias species all share the trait of being hermaphroditic. If a dominant male perishes, the largest female of the group will often morph to take its place.
Adult Male.
8 cm.