Rare and Gorgeous: Bennett's Anthias

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All Anthias are amazing. They can bring some of the most intense coloration and high activity levels to tanks, though some of them shine just a little brighter, and most of those are really, really rare. One of the least seen is Tosanoides bennetti which predictably goes by the common name, Bennett's Anthias. These are collected in incredibly deep water (over 500 feet deep in some instances) from our Short Supply Chain Vendor in Coral Sea, the only place that Bennett's is found. Diving this deep is a technological feat that limits dive times because of the intricately planned and painstakingly slow process of surfacing from these depths. These logistics further increase the rarity of these fish in the hobby.

Bennett's Anthias are very active and thus need frequent feeding. Here they get a mix of frozen offerings from Gamma Foods, like Brine Plus Spirulina, Brine Plus Omega, Mysis shrimp, and we offer them Nutramar Algae and Color Boost Shots as well. In the wild, a portion of their diet is made up of algae and we find it important to get them some greens. Getting any Anthias onto a pellet diet is important for their long-term success in the aquarium. High quality pellets like those from Nutramar offer protein density and a nutrient spectrum that thawed foods can't match. It also makes it possible to utilize an autofeeder, which makes getting them their three (or more) feeds a day much easier. Click here to learn more

 

[Fury808]

If you can get these from 500 feet, can you get peppermint dwarf angels?

 

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If you can get these from 500 feet, can you get peppermint dwarf angels?

Peppermint Angels (Paracentropyge boylei) are found in the Cook Islands and Tahiti at depths from 300-400 feet deep. Currently there are no fish being exported out of the Cooks and Tahiti is limited to shallow water species.

 

[KrisReef]

Peppermint Angels (Paracentropyge boylei) are found in the Cook Islands and Tahiti at depths from 300-400 feet deep. Currently there are no fish being exported out of the Cooks and Tahiti is limited to shallow water species.

I am torn reading about these rare anthias that are taken from a habitat that we have no ability to replicate in our home tanks at a risk to life and health of the fisher-persons who are risking life to catch these distant deepwater fishes.

I love freedom, and appreciate that some folks want the challenge (both diver and fish keeper) and in my heart I sympathize with folks who take these risks as a normal adventure and opportunity in life.

That Cooks and Tahiti have limited deep water take is understandable, and as much as I hate rules I think that they are doing the right thing if only to protect divers from injury during decompresion assents.

This is harsh, but God rest the soul of Jake Adams. I don't think anyone wanted to read about his last adventure.

Conflicted, but supportive of fish and coral collection when it makes sense.

 

[Fury808]

Peppermint Angels (Paracentropyge boylei) are found in the Cook Islands and Tahiti at depths from 300-400 feet deep. Currently there are no fish being exported out of the Cooks and Tahiti is limited to shallow water species.

Thank you for the info!