Anthias

Scientific name : Anthiinae

Anthias are a very weel-known fish group, common in dives on tropical coral reefs. They are classified into the Serranidae family, the same as groupers, and it's common to see them in large aggregates of thousands of individuals. They form colurful "clouds" swimming above the reef, feeding on Plankton, often mixed with other Anthias and Chromis species. If disturbed, they refuge to their shelter, often large formations of corals fo Acropora genus.

Typical body shape, often with long pectoral fins and (in the males) one of the rays of the dorsal longer than others. Mouth is protrusible, typical of planktivorous fish. Often pronounced differences in the color between males and females. Often ermafrodite, with sexual inversion and colour change.
Anthias are found mainly along the external reef, but they are present also in other environments like the lagoon. They form large aggregates where females often far outnumber males. It's possible to observe also a vertical distribution, with some smaller species (Pseudanthias dispar, Pseudanthias tuka, Pseudanthias huchti) living only on the reef front, while others larger as Pseudanthias randalli, Pseudanthias pleurotaenia, Pseudanthias smithvanizi and Pseudanthias fasciatus prefer the deep reef. Often it's possible also to see aggregations with different species mixed.
Possibly confused with damselfishes of Chromis genus, but the body shape is quite different.