Purple Anthias

Pseudanthias tuka is a small species of colourful fish in the subfamily Anthiinae.

Description

Males of this species differ from males of P. pascalus by having a yellowish snout. Characterized by male having uniformly purple color with posterior dorsal fin with large dark purple blotch; nuptial male with yellow jaws. Female has with yellow stripe along back connecting until yellow upper caudal fin. Greatest depth of body 2.8-3.3 in SL. It has fleshy protuberance at front of upper lip in male and deeply forked caudal fin with prolonged lobes.

Distribution

Indo-West Pacific: Mauritius to the Philippines and Bali (Indonesia) to the Solomon Islands, south to Rowley Shoals and the Great Barrier Reef; Palau in Micronesia. Reported from southern Japan.

Habitat

It is found primarily on continental reefs. It forms aggregations on outer reef slopes to depths over 30 m. It feeds on planktonic crustaceans and fish eggs.