# Pseudanthias pleurotaenia The Pseudanthias pleurotaenia, also known as the yellowtail anthias, is a colorful fish found in warm ocean waters. It loves to swim in groups and can be seen darting around coral reefs, making them a beautiful sight for divers. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Coral reefs - **Also known as:** Yellowtail Anthias ![Pseudanthias pleurotaenia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/PinkStripeReefFish1.JPG&width=800) Photo: Ciar, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PinkStripeReefFish1.JPG) ## Appearance The Pseudanthias pleurotaenia has a vibrant, purplish-pink body, with males featuring a distinctive rectangular reddish-yellow patch on their sides. Females are generally more orange-yellow, lacking the prominent lateral 'squarespot'. Their iridescent scales create a shimmering effect. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Perciformes - **Family:** Serranidae - **Genus:** Pseudanthias ## Interesting facts - If the dominant male disappears, the largest female in the group transforms into a male! - Males guard a 'harem' of up to 10 females, displaying their vibrant colors to impress them. - These fish often gather in giant shimmering schools, looking like living jewels on the reef. - They are sometimes called 'squarespot anthias' due to the male's distinct rectangular patch. ## Special abilities - **Gender Changer:** Pseudanthias pleurotaenia can change sex from female to male to ensure successful reproduction within their social group. - **Current Conqueror:** Pseudanthias pleurotaenia constantly swims against strong currents to snatch tiny plankton, ensuring a steady food supply. - **Color Communicator:** Pseudanthias pleurotaenia can rapidly intensify its colors to signal dominance or attract mates among its school. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 8-12 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.05 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Swim Speed:** 8 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 60 m - **Water Type:** Saltwater ## Diet & Feeding These vibrant fish gracefully feed on tiny plankton and small invertebrates floating in the water. - **Age differences:** null - **Primary Foods:** zooplankton, copepods, larval crustaceans, fish eggs - **Foraging Method:** Filter feeding ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Orange-spotted grouper (*Epinephelus coioides*) — Hunts them around reef structures. - **Eaten by:** Spotted coral grouper (*Plectropomus maculatus*) — An ambush predator on coral reefs. - **Shelter:** Cauliflower coral (*Pocillopora damicornis*) — Hides within its complex coral branches. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch from a distance when exploring the ocean; some fish can be shy. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pseudanthias pleurotaenia? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Pseudanthias pleurotaenia? 8-12 cm ### How much does Pseudanthias pleurotaenia weigh? 0.01-0.05 kg ### How long does Pseudanthias pleurotaenia live? 5-10 years ### What does Pseudanthias pleurotaenia eat? These vibrant fish gracefully feed on tiny plankton and small invertebrates floating in the water. ### How fast can Pseudanthias pleurotaenia swim? 8 km/h ### Where is Pseudanthias pleurotaenia usually found? Coral reefs ### How does Pseudanthias pleurotaenia hunt? Filter feeding ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Pseudanthias pleurotaenia: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pseudanthias-pleurotaenia)