Redfin Anthias

Pseudanthias dispar, the redfin anthias, is a species of marine ray-finned fish found in the Indo-Pacific. It is sometimes used as an aquarium fish.

Description

Male displays a bright red dorsal fin. Ventral fins are greatly extended. Female is orange with yellowish tail and a pink line from the tip of the snout angling down, passing through the lower part of the eye. Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-18; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. Characterized by having greatest depth of body 2.7-3.2 in SL; presence of fleshy protuberance at front of upper lip in males; slightly prolonged second dorsal spine of male; deeply forked to lunate caudal fin, usually with filamentous tips in male; elongate filament at pelvic fins in male

Distribution

Pacific Ocean: Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Line Islands, north to the Yaeyama Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef, Fiji and Samoa. Replaced by Pseudanthias ignitus in the Indian Ocean.

Habitat

It is found at the upper-edge of steep outer reef slopes, with moderate currents. It occurs in large aggregations, of mixed sexes when feeding in currents sweeping the reef.