| Family: |
Anthiadidae (Fairy basslets or Streamer basses) |
| Max. size: |
12 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 4 - 40 m |
| Distribution: |
Indian Ocean: East Africa to the Cocos-Keeling and Christmas islands, north to the Andaman Sea. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-18; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Readily identified by the blue and yellow coloration (Ref. 48635).
Description: Characterized by violet color of male with orange band through eye, scattered yellow spots on side, back, dorsal fin and caudal fin with broad yellow zone; yellow color on dorsal half of head and body in female and pinkish lower half; fleshy protuberance at front of upper lip in male; forked caudal fin; filamentous tips on pelvic fins (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Occurs in large groups on outer reef slopes (Ref. 9710). Schooling species along upper parts of drop-offs and in outer reef lagoons. Feeds at various depths to near surface in pursuit of zooplankton (Ref. 48635). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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