Guess this species

[JHemdal]

All,

Anyone care to guess what species of Anthias this is?

Here is a hint: Just say it twice and you'll be correct!



Jay Hemdal

 

[kali77]

bimac

 

[JHemdal]

Sorry, thats wrong - try again!

Think about the first hint. Here is another hint: "Scott Michael's Reef Fishes can't save the day in this case"


Jay Hemdal

 

[SDguy]

anthias anthias, isn't it? Cooler water?

And may I add, holy crap! Had no idea they get this pretty!

 

[JHemdal]

SDguy,

Yep, thats what it is. This one is a sub-adult. There is a lot of variation in coloration in these fish - I don't know if its geographic or environmental. I've never seen any that looked quite as good as the ones in your link, but I've seen large males that were really dark red with huge pelvic fins.

jh

 

[SDguy]

Did you also notice that fishbase says they come from 300m!! Is that a typo?

 

[JHemdal]

I think that is a typo - supposedly they can be collected at around 50 feet in the correct habitat (rocky vertical cliffs). I think that it was supposed to say "X - 300m" where X is the shallowest depth they are recorded from. The funny thing is that one of our three fish has a shorter upper lobe of its caudal fin, like three of the fish pictured on Fishbase. None of the fish on Fishbase with yellow margins on the caudal fin have that shorter upper lobe. I wonder if this is normal variation or if there is a deepwater and shallow water form?

Jay Hemdal

 

[SDguy]

Yes, I noticed quite a bit of variation in the pics on fishbase. Couldn't tell if it was sexual, regional, depth, etc.

So you actually have a trio of these guys? Very cool...have never seen one in person or for sale for that matter. Where'd you get them, if I may ask?