Dispar Anthias

The Dispar Anthias is a beautifully colored and relatively hardy anthias species that has become increasingly popular in the reef aquarium hobby. Males display a vivid reddish-orange body with a striking bright red dorsal fin that stands out dramatically against reef backgrounds, while females exhibit a more subdued but equally attractive pale orange to peach coloration with a subtle lavender hue along the back. At a maximum size of approximately 3.5 inches, this is one of the smaller anthias species, making it well-suited for moderately sized reef aquariums.

In the wild, Dispar Anthias form large aggregations along outer reef slopes and drop-offs in the Western Pacific, where they hover in the water column feeding on passing zooplankton. Like all anthias, they are protogynous hermaphrodites, with all individuals born female and the dominant female in a group transitioning to male when needed. Males maintain small harems and engage in courtship displays that include flaring their vivid dorsal fins and performing undulating swimming patterns.

The Dispar Anthias is considered one of the hardier anthias species, making it a good choice for intermediate aquarists looking to keep their first anthias. While it still requires multiple daily feedings characteristic of the group, it tends to accept prepared foods more readily than many other anthias species. Best kept in small groups of one male with three to five females in a 75-gallon or larger aquarium with moderate to strong water flow. An established refugium or automatic feeder is highly beneficial for maintaining the frequent feeding schedule these fish require.