Anthias

Anthiadidae

Small, jewel-bright reef fish that hang in shimmering schools above coral heads, darting into the current to pick off plankton. Anthias are protogynous hermaphrodites — when the dominant male dies, the largest female changes sex to take his place.

Last updated May 2026

AnthiasPseudanthias squamipinnis15 photos

Least ConcernUp to 15 cm5–35mCoral reef

Brilliant orange females and a single purple-pink male swarm above coral heads in the Red Sea. Small, jewel-colored fish with elongated dorsal fins.

Forms dense, colorful clouds above coral outcrops — the male patrols his harem and the school retreats into the reef when startled.

Observed at

Shabrur Umm Gamar(Hurghada)Jackson reef(Strait of Tiran)El Malek(Hurghada)Small Crack(Sharm El Sheikh)Dunraven(Sharm El Sheikh)Ras Ghozlani(Sharm El Sheikh)Gorgonian Garden(Hurghada)Jackfish Alley(Sharm El Sheikh)

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