Theadfin anthias

Biology

Threadfin anthias are distinguished by the long and coloured dorsal fin, which they display during courtship. It lives in tropical waters on the periphery of coral reefs, where it can be found swimming in groups consisting mainly of females with a few males. This is because it is a hermaphroditic species in which all individuals are born females and may turn into males at some point in their lives.

Curiosities

When the dominant male perishes, the largest female of the group will turn into a male, ensuring the reproductive success of the species.