Purple Queen Anthias, Medium

Purple Queen Anthias (Medium)

Transform Your Tank with Living Violet Fire from the Pacific

Looking for a true centerpiece specimen? The Purple Queen Anthias (Pseudanthias tuka) is one of the most visually striking species available in the hobby — a deep-water gem draped in vivid violet-purple with a yellow dorsal stripe that cuts through the color like a neon sign. Collected from Indo-Pacific reefs and not commonly seen in this quality or size, this is the kind of addition that stops guests mid-sentence.

At medium size (roughly 2–3 inches), this specimen is past its most delicate stage and ready to settle confidently into a well-established reef tank. Purple Queens are active, open-water swimmers that thrive in groups, spending most of their time mid-column and bringing constant motion to your saltwater aquarium. They reward experienced aquarists with bold personality and a dazzling display — especially under blue-spectrum reef lighting that makes their purple tones absolutely ignite.

QUICK STATS & CARE GUIDE

• Common Name: Purple Queen Anthias
• Current Size: Medium (approx. 2–3 inches)
• Care Level: Moderate — best suited for intermediate to advanced aquarists
• Temperament: Peaceful; thrives in harems with one dominant male
• Diet: Carnivore — mysis shrimp, copepods, and enriched frozen foods; benefits from multiple small feedings per day
• Reef Safe: Yes
• Water Conditions: Temp 72–78°F | Salinity 1.020–1.025 | pH 8.1–8.4 | dKH 8–12

WHY BUY FROM THE CORAL BOUTIQUE?

Every Purple Queen Anthias we ship has been ethically sourced, professionally quarantined, and carefully conditioned in our Miami facility — and critically, confirmed eating frozen foods before it ever leaves our care. At The Coral Boutique, we don't ship a specimen until it's truly ready.

Photo: Dieter Karner, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons