Photo copyright Tim Nicholson.
Taken on Daedalus Reef in the Egyptian Red Sea.
Coral with Lryetail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis).
Also known as a Jewel Fairy Basslet, this are the most common species of Anthias found in the Red Sea at depths of 5 to 35 m. The male and female are different colours. The bright orange, smaller fish are the females; pinky-yellow coloured fish the males. You see them in large groups clustered around coral outcrops.
All fish start off life as females. Where a male is lacking, the dominant female fish will turn into a male. The males are territorial and keep a harem of female fish.
A common and welcome sight to warm-water divers. Swarms of these brighly coloured fish hang around coral outcrops, adding colour to the reef.Back to the Red Sea Photos...
