THE STEINHART AQUARIUM - Gulf of Guinea Science ...

140 A Docent Field Guide to the Species of the Steinhart Aquarium
aggregations of conspecifics; females far
outnumber males in the groups.
Juveniles are solitary and remain close to
shelter.
On many individuals, the magenta square spot
appears to glow like a neon light.
Active diurnally. Nocturnally shelter within
the reef.
Jewel Fairy Basslet aka Lyretail Anthias
Pseudanthias squamipinnis (Serranidae)
Sea Basses: Groupers and Fairy Basslets
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea, South
Africa, south to Australia, north to Japan.
Habitat: Shallows to 55 m; coral outcrops of
clear lagoons, channels, and outer reef slopes.
Often found in large groups.
Appearance: Various color patterns, including
red, pink, orange, yellow, even purple. Males
are typically more colorful, and have a larger
dorsal fin spike than females.
Diet: Zooplantkton.
Reproduction and Development: Males
territorial, haremic; like all Anthias species, are
sequential, protogynous hermaphrodites. If
male perishes, largest female will develop male
reproductive organs and take its place.
Yellowstriped Fairy Basslet aka Purple Anthias
Pseudanthias tuka (Serranidae)
Sea Basses: Groupers and Fairy Basslets
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Philippines, Bali,
Solomon Islands, Great Barrier Reef, southern
Japan.
Habitat: Favors strong currents along the
edge of drop-offs and steep outer reef slopes
at depths of 30 m or more.
Appearance: Sexes dichromatic. Both sexes are
a deep pink to purple; however, females have a
bright yellow stripe on the back extending onto
the caudal fin. Males have a purple blotch on
the base of the dorsal fin, elongated fin rays,
and a pointed snout Max. size: 12 cm.
Diet: Planktonic crustaceans and fish eggs.
Reproduction and Development: As in all
Anthias species, if a dominant male dies, the
largest female will usually change into a male
and take his place.
Remarks: Usually found in large aggregations
with many more females than males.
Fathead Anthias
Serranocirrhitus latus (Serranidae)
Sea Basses: Groupers, and Fairy Basslets
Distribution: Western Pacific, from the
Moluccan Islands to Fiji, north to Japan and
south to the Great Barrier Reef.
Habitat: Near coral reefs usually at depths
of 18 m or more, either solitarily or in small
haremic groups; also found near caves, ledges,
and drop-offs, usually close to crevices where
they retreat if threatened.
Appearance: Unlike its cousins the Pseudanthias
species, the fathead anthias has a deep body
and elongate pectoral fins. Predominantly pink,
with heavy yellow-to-orange scale margins and
facial markings. Max.length: 10 cm.
Diet: Zooplankton, small invertebrates,
floating filamentous algae.
Reproduction and Development: Like all
Anthias spp., is hermaphroditic. If a dominant
male dies, the largest female will usually
morph to take its place.
Remarks: This little fish is secretive and often
seen swimming upside-down along the roofs
of overhangs and caves. Their dimly lit tank
in the Steinhart fits their common deep-water
preference.
Unlike most Pseudanthias spp., which often live
in large shoals, S. latus is usually found either
solitary or in a small haremic group.
Harlequin Bass
Serranus tigrinus (Serranidae)
Sea Basses: Groupers and Fairy Basslets
Distribution: Tropical western Atlantic and
throughout the Caribbean: Bermuda and
southern Florida, to northern South America.
Habitat: Most common in areas with rock or
scattered coral, depth to 40 m.
Appearance: Snout long and pointed. Elongate
body; stripes and bars on light background form
irregular rectangles on body. Sometimes yellowish
below. Colors and patterns, coupled with
spotted dorsal and caudal fins, are the source of
its common name. Max. length: 30 cm.
Diet: Mainly crustaceans and small fishes.
Reproduction and Development: Synchronous
hermaphrodite. Territorial egg layer. Lives
solitary or in pairs.
Remarks: Said to have an aggressive nature.
The Harlequin Bass is the most common