Dispar Anthias
Mirolabrichithys dispar

Identification: Males have a bright red dorsal fin and lack any red stripes on their tail. The female may display a yellowish-orange on the top and pale lavender to white on the underside.

Maximum Length: 3"- 4"

Origin: Maldives

Minimum tank size: 75 Gallon

Behavior: The group enjoys clean, consistent water quality in all areas where they are collected. They will not tolerate anything less in captivity. Optimal "reef" conditions are required. The absence of aggressive fellow tank mates is emphasized. Some species are notorious jumpers. Cover all openings. Should be kept in small groups consisting of 1 male and 2-3 females. As with most Anthias kept in aquariums, the Dispars look their best when the tank has a lot of cliffs and overhangs, mimicking their natural environment

Feeding and diet: Planktivore. Feeds on zooplankton in the wild but will adapt to frozen and live preparations. Live foods may have to be offered at first. Food supplements are well worth the effort. Will accept dry-prepared foods; cannot be sustained on them or brine shrimp alone.

Reef Compatibility: Their size makes them ideally suited for reefs, especially since they feed mostly on plankton and do not display any aggressive behavior towards any other reef inhabitant.

Cautions: Keep males separate or with a group of females. Very easily spooked on new introduction. Keep lights low and leave an outside light on for a good day or two. Keep your hands out of the system as much as possible and entirely at the onset.

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