Pacific Basslet, Pseudanthias huchtii (Bleeker, 1857)

Introduction

The Pacific Basslet has a distinctive colour pattern. The species occurs from the Philippines through to the northern Great Barrier Reef and east to Vanuatu.

Identification

The Pacific Basslet has a distinctive colour pattern and an elongated third dorsal fin spine and caudal fin lobes. Males have a prominent orange stripe from the eye to the middle of the pectoral fin. They also have a wide maroon band on the outer margin of the pelvic fin. Females and juveniles are greenish-yellow.

Habitat

The species is often seen in aggregations above dropoffs on outer reef crests.

Distribution

The Pacific Basslet occurs from the Philippines through to the northern Great Barrier Reef and east to Vanuatu.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Breeding behaviours

Females greatly outnumber males.

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.