13 photos 6 species
Introduction
There are approximately 215 species.
They are the jewels in the reefs. Both male and female fish are beautifully colored, although the male is more dominant.
These boast magnificent dorsal fins.
Most species reach a length of between 6 and 20 cm.
Anthias anthias
Swallowtail sea perch or Marine goldfish
Maximum length: 27 cm
Depth: 1 - 40 + m
Caves and rocky areas are the preferred habitats of these anthias.
These animals are said to live in small schools at a depth of up to 300 m, which makes them uninteresting for fishing. The name anthias comes from the long, flag-like pelvic fins.
They feed on zooplankton and fish larvae.
The animals initially live as females for a while before later converting into males.
Photo 1 Johnny: Oberhausen Germany ( Aquarium )
Pseudanthias evansi
Yellowback anthias
Maximum length: 9 cm
Depth: 1 - 30 m
Anthias are very colorful.
Gender change: first female, later male.
Photo 1 Johnny: Embudu Maldives
Pseudanthias huchtii
Red cheek fairy basslet, Threadfin anthias or Pacific basslet
Maximum length: 9 cm
Depth: 3 - 20 m
Found in small groups on the reef tops on reefs with hard and soft corals.
Males (photo) have red cheek stripes.
Photo 1 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi
Pseudanthias pleurotaenia
Squarespot anthias, Pink square anthias, Mirror basslet or
Squarespot fairy basslet
Maximum length: 20 cm
Depth: 25 - 46 m
Mostly found in small groups on the reef.
Very shy.
Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Bangka Island North Sulawesi
Pseudanthias squamipinnis
Sea goldie, Orange basslet, Lyretail coralfish, Onestrip goldie,
Lyretail anthias, Lyretail fairy basslet, Orange fairy basslet, Orange seaperch, Scalefin basslet, Scalefin fairy basslet or Scalefin anthias
Maximum length: 15 cm
Depth: 1 - 35 m
Males are orange with yellow spots on body scales with a purple spot on the pectoral fin.
The females are orange with a purple-edged red-orange cheek stripe.
They are found in clear lagoons and outer reef slopes,
especially in front of reef tops and on coral heads, forming small or large to huge accumulations.
A male usually guards a harem of 5 - 10 females.
Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Moalboal Philippines
Photo 3 Astrid: Hurghada Egypt
Photos 4 - 6 Johnny Hurghada Egypt
Pseudanthias tuka)
Yellowstriped fairy basslet
Maximum length: 12 cm
Depth: 2 - 40 m
The male has a purple spot on the back of his dorsal fin (see picture 2)
The female has an orange-yellow dorsal stripe that extends to the upper end of the caudal fin,
and the lower edge of the caudal lobe is also colored.
Grabbing plankton in accumulations on outer reef slopes up to about 3 m above the reef.
Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Moalboal Philipines