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Lunate anthias (Pseudanthias lunulatus) — Serranidae

Lunate anthias

Pseudanthias lunulatus
Family: Serranidae

The Lunate anthias (Pseudanthias lunulatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
40.0–75.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Maldives, Mauritius, Somalia

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Description

The Lunate anthias is a fairy basslet (Serranidae) from coral-reef water of the western Pacific. 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 Lunate anthias?

The Lunate anthias has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Lunate anthias live?

The Lunate anthias lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Indonesia, Maldives, Mauritius, Somalia

How big does the Lunate anthias get?

The Lunate anthias grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Lunate anthias dangerous to humans?

No, the Lunate 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Lunate anthias sourced
Scientific name
Pseudanthias lunulatus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Lunate goldie sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 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)
40.0 verified
Max depth (m)
75.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Maldives, Mauritius, Somalia 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

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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