Amethyst Anthias

Description: Characterized by purple to violet color with numerous small dark blue to orange spots; red-orange band on snout to pectoral fin base; female similar, but lacks spots and has shorter dorsal, anal and pelvic fins; greatest depth of body 2.9-3.4 in SL; presence of fleshy protuberance at front of upper lip in male; no prolonged dorsal spine; deeply forked caudal fin with prolonged lobes in male (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 7 - 8

Found inshore (Ref. 75154). Common at oceanic islands than on continental reefs. Occurs in large groups around coral outcrops and caves of outer reef slopes. Feeds on copepods and other planktonic crustaceans or crustacean larvae and fish eggs (Ref. 9710, 37816).

More common at oceanic islands than on continental reefs. Occurs in large groups around coral outcrops and caves of outer reef slopes. Feeds on copepods and other planktonic crustaceans or crustacean larvae and fish eggs (Ref. 9710, 37816).

分布於印度-太平洋區，西起巴里島，東至土木土群島，北至日本南部，南至澳洲。台灣南部、東部、綠島及蘭嶼海域有產。

小型花鱸，不具食用經濟性之魚種。

體延長而側扁。吻短。眼中大，眼眶後緣具乳突。口較大，稍傾斜；雄魚唇肥厚且圓凸。上下頜齒細小，前端具犬齒。下及間鰓蓋骨下緣平滑；鰓蓋棘兩枚。體被小櫛鱗；側線完全，側線鱗數48-52；上頜不具鱗；各鰭亦不具鱗。背鰭連續，具硬棘X，軟條15-17，第V-X背鰭棘幾乎等長(幼魚時第V背鰭棘略長，成魚後第X背鰭棘略長)，雄魚軟條略為延長；臀鰭硬棘III枚，軟條7-8，軟條部略為延長；腹鰭腹位，延伸及至臀鰭；胸鰭軟條16-19(多為18)；尾鰭深叉形，雄魚上下葉端略為延長。體紫紅色，頭部腹側及喉部淡黃色；雄魚軟條部外側紅色。

主要棲息於沿岸礁區、大陸棚區及島嶼，通常成一大群活動於礁區洞穴外圍或外礁斜坡。以浮游甲殼類及魚卵為食。