Lori's Anthias

Lori's Anthias is a stunning deep-water species prized by anthias enthusiasts for its delicate beauty and challenging care requirements. Males display a gorgeous combination of pink to rose-red body coloration with bright yellow accents on the dorsal fin and caudal fin margins, along with distinctive striped facial markings. Females are more subtly colored in soft pink with a thin yellow dorsal streak. Found primarily in the Pacific Ocean, this species inhabits deep outer reef walls and slopes at depths typically ranging from 30 to 60 meters.

As a deep-water anthias, Lori's Anthias is considered difficult to maintain in captivity. The transition from deep reef conditions to the warmer, brighter aquarium environment requires careful acclimation, and many specimens struggle to adapt to prepared foods initially. Patience and a varied diet of enriched frozen foods, offered multiple times throughout the day, are essential for success with this species.

Lori's Anthias should be kept in a small harem with one male and two to four females in a tank with subdued lighting zones and cooler water temperatures than typical reef setups. Strong water flow simulating the currents of deep reef walls is appreciated. Despite the challenges, successfully maintaining a group of these anthias is deeply rewarding, as their elegant coloration and graceful swimming behavior are truly captivating.