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Heemstra's anthias (Pseudanthias heemstrai) — Serranidae

Heemstra's anthias

Pseudanthias heemstrai
Family: Serranidae

The Heemstra's anthias (Pseudanthias heemstrai) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15.0–67.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Jordan
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Heemstra's anthias is a fairy basslet (Serranidae) from coral-reef water of the western Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky body with vivid orange, pink or purple tints. As a social planktivore it hovers in schools above and along the reef slope and snaps at zooplankton in the current. It starts life as a female and can later change into a male. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Heemstra's anthias?

The Heemstra's anthias has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Heemstra's anthias live?

The Heemstra's anthias lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Jordan

How big does the Heemstra's anthias get?

The Heemstra's anthias grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Heemstra's anthias dangerous to humans?

No, the Heemstra's anthias is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Heemstra's anthias edible?

Yes, the Heemstra's anthias is commonly eaten.

More photos

Heemstra's anthias (Pseudanthias heemstrai) — Serranidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Heemstra's anthias (Pseudanthias heemstrai) — Serranidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Heemstra's anthias (Pseudanthias heemstrai) — Serranidae — 4
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Heemstra's anthias sourced
Scientific name
Pseudanthias heemstrai
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Orangehead anthias sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
67.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Jordan sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pseudanthias

More from the family Serranidae

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