Some of the most commonly encountered reef fish in a variety of habitats across the planet, Anthias tend to look a bit like the goldfish you might have kept in a bowl at home as a child; however, they are actually more closely related to bass, basslets, and groupers than they are to domesticated freshwater carp. While they appear to be somewhat insignificant at first, they are important members of the reef community and are fascinating to watch, both for their beauty and for their behavior.
Little Fish With a Big Territory
Among the Anthiinae subfamily, which belongs to the Serranidae family, there are seven named genera and several different named species. All of these fish tend to be yellow, orange, or pink in color, with many displaying color combinations that occur more than one of these hues. Most of the anthias are quite small, and depending upon where you dive, be it the Mediterranean or the Northeast Atlantic, you have probably seen at least one species.
While these fish do aggregate into shoals consisting of thousands of individuals, they are most commonly encountered in family groups with a single male taking charge of up to a dozen females, plus one or two non-dominant males hanging around the periphery of the harem in hopes that the dominant male might succumb to a sudden and deadly twist of fate. The dominant males though, know exactly what the other males are up to, and while the females nibble nonchalantly at the reef, the dominant male can often be seen putting on quite a show, performing acrobatic maneuvers to defend his territory and his little harem.
Like some other fish, all Anthias are born as females; with the largest female of the group transforming herself into a male in the event all larger males around the group perish. Smaller males will often challenge large females when this happens, and the fighting can be intense.
Among the Anthias, some species stand out as they are a bit more flamboyant than others. These include:
•Butterfly Perch – A beautiful light pink sea bass with darker maroon speckles and a large black spot toward the tail, which occurs in the Indian Ocean and the Southwest Pacific. You can often find these fish in New Zealand and Southern Australia.
•Pink MaoMao – With hot pink dorsal sides that gradually lighten to white on the ventral surface, these gorgeous fish grow to be about two feet long and can be found throughout the water column to a depth of about 220 meters. They also inhabit the Indian Ocean and the Southwest Pacific.
•Toadstool Groper – So named due to its resemblance to a toadstool, this fish looks nothing like most Anthias. Bright red, with tiny white speckles, thick fleshy lips, and protruding orange and black eyeballs, this fish has a heavy body and is usually between 10 and 20 inches long. Found in the Southwest Pacific, and featuring a very spiny dorsal fin, this sea bass is sometimes called a Splendid Perch, and can be seen in very shallow water. Incredibly, this fish has been recorded in water as deep as 3,518 meters. Watch for them at sites around New Zealand, particularly around the Poor Knights Islands, where they are abundant.
No matter which species of Anthias you next encounter, you’re sure to have a whole new appreciation for this small yet colorful family of fish. Their populations are thriving, so don’t be surprised if you see several at one time; bring your camera along to record the experience.