Anthias

Anthias, members of the subfamily Anthiadinae within the family Serranidae, are small, vividly colored marine fish inhabiting tropical and subtropical oceanic regions, with significant populations concentrated around coral reef ecosystems of the Indo-Pacific.

Renowned for their brilliant pigmentation—ranging from hues of pink, orange, and red to yellow—Anthias are typically observed forming large, dynamic aggregations in the water column above reef structures. They are primarily planktivorous, feeding on zooplankton suspended in the water. Anthias exhibit protogynous hermaphroditism, whereby individuals initially develop as females and may later transition to males in response to social or environmental cues, particularly the absence of a dominant male. Their complex social behaviors, vibrant appearance, and active schooling dynamics render Anthias both ecologically significant within reef communities and highly sought after in the marine aquarium trade.