Japanese Ventralis Anthias Female

Japanese Ventralis Anthias female

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pseudanthias ventralis

Overview
Reef Compatible: YES
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Docile
Origin: Central Pacific

Pseudanthias ventralis, commonly known as the longfin anthias or longfin basslet, is a captivating marine fish species found in the Western Pacific Ocean. Let me share some interesting details about this colorful creature:

• Description: Male Pseudanthias ventralis individuals exhibit a metallic purple hue with a yellow head and a yellow tinge on the back just below the dorsal fin. The dorsal fin is red on the spiny part and hyaline or yellowish on the soft-rayed part. Females share a similar metallic purple color but lack the distinctive markings. Their dorsal fin extends onto a small area of the back, and they have a red arcing stripe separating the yellow and purple near the tail. The maximum total length of this species is approximately 7 centimeters (2.8 inches).

• Distribution: These fish are found in the Western Pacific, ranging from southern Japan to the Marshall Islands, the Coral Sea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, the Great Barrier Reef, and French Polynesia. They also inhabit regions near Pitcairn Island and the Cook Islands.

• Habitat and Behavior: Pseudanthias ventralis prefers coral reefs at depths ranging from 26 to 120 meters (85 to 394 feet). They are secretive and often recorded in caves or beneath ledges. These little explorers venture out to feed on zooplankton, including copepods, as well as larvae of crustaceans and fish eggs.

Next time you’re near a coral reef, keep an eye out for these enchanting longfin anthias!