Longfin Basslet, Pseudanthias ventralis (Randall 1979)


Other Names: Longfin Anthias, Ventralis Anthias

A male Longfin Basslet, Pseudanthias ventralis, at Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, depth 61m, February 2004. Source: @uwkwaj / iNaturalist.org. License: CC by Attribution-NonCommercial

Summary:
In Australia, males are overall steely purple with a mostly yellow head, a reticulated yellow pattern with blotches and lines on the back, a yellow dorsal fin with red anterior soft rays and a purple line between the two colours, and a purple margin. The anal fin has yellowish rays with a purple margin along the leading edge. The caudal fin has an indistinct red blotch or bar near the rear margin, with purple upper and lower margins. Females are steely purple with a yellow dorsal fin that extends onto the back to the caudal peduncle, and is separated from the purple body colour by a red arched stripe.

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2022, Pseudanthias ventralis in Fishes of Australia, accessed 29 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4387

Longfin Basslet, Pseudanthias ventralis (Randall 1979)

More Info


Distribution

Northern Great Barrier Reef, and Holmes Reef in the Coral Sea, Queensland. Elsewhere the species occurs across much of Oceania.
Inhabits caves and coral rubble areas along steep drop-offs or channel walls.

Remarks

The species is variable in colour pattern across its range, with three distinct colour morphs that are separated geographically.

Etymology

The specific name is from the Latin ventralis (= of or pertaining to the belly) 'in reference to the striking prolongation of the pelvic and anal fins'.

Species Citation

Anthias (Pseudanthias) ventralis ventralis Randall 1979, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History Contributions in Science 302: 12, fig. 7. Type locality: Patch reef on northern side off Gannet Ridge, Pitcairn Island, depth 40-44 m.

Author

Bray, D.J. 2022

Resources

Atlas of Living Australia

Longfin Basslet, Pseudanthias ventralis (Randall 1979)

References


Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. 

Allen, G.R. & Starck, W.A. 1982. The anthiid fishes of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, with the description of a new species. Revue Française d'Aquariologie et HerpĂ©tologie 9(2): 47-56 figs 1-28 

Kuiter, R.H. 2004. Basslets, Hamlets and their relatives. A comprehensive guide to selected Serranidae and Plesiopidae. Chorleywood, UK : TMC Publishing 1, 216 pp. 

Randall, J.E. 1979. A review of the serranid fish genus Anthias of the Hawaiian Islands, with descriptions of two new species. Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History Contributions in Science 302: 1-13 figs 1-7 See ref at BHL

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. 

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs.

Rowlett, J. 2016. An Updated Guide To Ventralis Anthias Identification and Biogeography. In Reefs, accessed 01 mar 2022. https://reefs.com/2016/05/09/updated-guide-ventralis-anthias-identification-biogeography/

Tea, Y.-K. 2015. Diversity and forms of the Pseudanthias ventralis species flock: How many are there? in reef builders, accessed 01 mar 2022. https://reefbuilders.com/2015/03/29/diversity-forms-pseudanthias-ventralis-species-flock/

Quick Facts


CAAB Code:37311128

Biology:Hermaphrodite

Conservation:IUCN Least Concern

Depth:26-120 m

Fishing:Aquarium fish

Habitat:Reef associated

Max Size:7 cm TL

Species Image Gallery

Species Maps

CAAB distribution map