- Check the sub-map for the specimen information files -
ANTHIAS - ANTHIINAE
There are around a hundred different species of this subfamily of the grouper. Anthias are one of the most commonly seen and colorful fish found on a healthy reef. Most of the time they are seen hanging in the current among gorgonia's or other corals that catch a lot of current. Anthias don't live alone, but form large groups of more than a hundred. Everyday they are busy hunting and feeding on zooplankton. Incase of danger or during the night they hide in holes, cracks or between corals. Fully grown anthias are mostly female and live in harems of five to ten females that are protected by one dominant male. When something happens with this male, the most important female will change sex in less than a week and take over the harem. Marine biologists found out that this sex-change is controlled by other dominant males that are bigger and more colorful than the females. Like many other fish they mate just before sunset. All the dominant males will gather above the harems, showing their bright colored dorsal fin. They then start to do a kind of zig-zag dance to entice the females to the surface to spawn.
- Check the sub-map for the specimen information files -