Pseudanthias ignitus (Randall & Lubbock, 1981)
Flame anthias
Pseudanthias ignitus
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Anthiadidae (Fairy basslets or Streamer basses)
Max. size:  9 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 40 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Andaman Is., Maldives, Indonesia and Similan Island, Thailand.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-7. Description: Characterized by having generally orange color with lavender margined orange band from snout to lower rear edge of operculum; dorsal fin red; caudal fin yellow with broad pinkish streak along upper and lower margins; greatest depth of body 2.5-3.0 in SL; presence of fleshy protuberance at front of upper lip in male; without prolonged dorsal spines; lunate caudal fin, filamentous lobes; elongate filament in pelvic fins in male (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits outer reef slopes. Occurs in aggregations, most frequently in clear waters of outer reef slopes and passes in depths ranging from about 3 to 15 m (Ref. 54301). Feeds mainly on zooplankton and swims up to several meters above the bottom while feeding (Ref 54301). When threatened by passing divers or predators the anthias hastily retreat to the safety of rocky crevices. It has a harem-type of social structure, with each male controlling a group of females. When courting, the male color is greatly intensified and the bright red dorsal fin is fully erected (Ref. 54301).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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