Alan Sutton, Tansania
Info
Pseudanthias evansi (Smith, 1954)
The yellowback flag perch is less robust and somewhat smaller than most other species. They exhibit sexual dimorphism, with the females being smaller than the males. The females are predominantly purple with a yellow back and yellow caudal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and has long, thin edges. There is a light purple line through the eye. Males are larger than the female and have yellow spots on the body.
The yellowback flag perch is not very common on the coast of the mainland of East Africa and then only on the edge of the deeper reefs. They cavort in very large schools of up to several thousand fish and are a very attractive sight, especially in clear water and good light. They are relatively easy for divers to get close to and as long as you don't make any sudden movements, they generally swim around without hiding. They often form a shoal with other Anthias species.
Yellowback anthias are found along the East African coast from Kenya to South Africa and Christmas Island, including the Andaman Sea and West Sumatra. In Tanzanian waters, they are only seen on the reefs at a depth of about 15 meters, mainly on walls or steep coral-rich slopes that drop off into deeper water.
Yellow-backed flag perch occur in harem groups consisting of one male and several females. Spawning takes place in pairs in the groundwater. If the male disappears for any reason, the dominant female turns into a male. The large schools consist of a large number of such harem groups.
The main food of the yellowback anthias is plankton.
If at all, flag perches should be kept in a GROUP of at least five animals and not as individuals. Like the tuka, evansi have a reputation for being very difficult to keep. There are isolated successes in keeping them. But all in all, Evansi, like Tuka, is and remains a flag perch that is not easy to keep. The physical degradation caused by stress such as catching and transport and inappropriate feeding (it is a constant feeder of zooplankton) in particular causes too many animals to die. However, once it eats and recovers from the stress of transportation, it is durable. They are also quite sensitive to diseases and transportation stress.
The fish need sufficient swimming space and good hiding places.
Yellowback anthias can jump, so it is advisable to cover the aquarium.
They are not easy to keep and are only recommended for experienced aquarists.
Synonymised names:
Anthias evansi Smith, 1954 · unaccepted
Mirolabrichthys evansi (Smith, 1954) · unaccepted
Mirolabrichtys evansi (Smith, 1954) · unaccepted (misspelling)
The yellowback flag perch is less robust and somewhat smaller than most other species. They exhibit sexual dimorphism, with the females being smaller than the males. The females are predominantly purple with a yellow back and yellow caudal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and has long, thin edges. There is a light purple line through the eye. Males are larger than the female and have yellow spots on the body.
The yellowback flag perch is not very common on the coast of the mainland of East Africa and then only on the edge of the deeper reefs. They cavort in very large schools of up to several thousand fish and are a very attractive sight, especially in clear water and good light. They are relatively easy for divers to get close to and as long as you don't make any sudden movements, they generally swim around without hiding. They often form a shoal with other Anthias species.
Yellowback anthias are found along the East African coast from Kenya to South Africa and Christmas Island, including the Andaman Sea and West Sumatra. In Tanzanian waters, they are only seen on the reefs at a depth of about 15 meters, mainly on walls or steep coral-rich slopes that drop off into deeper water.
Yellow-backed flag perch occur in harem groups consisting of one male and several females. Spawning takes place in pairs in the groundwater. If the male disappears for any reason, the dominant female turns into a male. The large schools consist of a large number of such harem groups.
The main food of the yellowback anthias is plankton.
If at all, flag perches should be kept in a GROUP of at least five animals and not as individuals. Like the tuka, evansi have a reputation for being very difficult to keep. There are isolated successes in keeping them. But all in all, Evansi, like Tuka, is and remains a flag perch that is not easy to keep. The physical degradation caused by stress such as catching and transport and inappropriate feeding (it is a constant feeder of zooplankton) in particular causes too many animals to die. However, once it eats and recovers from the stress of transportation, it is durable. They are also quite sensitive to diseases and transportation stress.
The fish need sufficient swimming space and good hiding places.
Yellowback anthias can jump, so it is advisable to cover the aquarium.
They are not easy to keep and are only recommended for experienced aquarists.
Synonymised names:
Anthias evansi Smith, 1954 · unaccepted
Mirolabrichthys evansi (Smith, 1954) · unaccepted
Mirolabrichtys evansi (Smith, 1954) · unaccepted (misspelling)
