The red-spotted anthias is a popular ornamental fish among aquarists, and as its name suggests, it is a beautiful scarlet-colored saltwater fish.
The red-spotted anthias belongs to the Anthias genus of the family Serranidae. The family Serranidae is a very large group that includes about 450 species of fish, and people tend to imagine tough fish that can grow to nearly 2 meters in length, but the Anthias genus to which the red-spotted anthias belongs is a group with many very small species that have vivid body colors such as red and yellow.
The sight of them forming large flocks and dancing in vibrant colours is incredibly beautiful and never gets old.
What kind of fish is the red sea bass?
・Ecology
The habitat of the red-spotted anthias is the western Pacific Ocean, from Japan to the East China Sea, and the central Pacific Ocean, including Samoa and Fiji. Within Japan, it is found in southern Japan, including the Ryukyu Islands, but is often seen along the coast of the Yaeyama Islands and is rarely seen near the main island of Okinawa.
They live in shallow coral reefs at depths of 3 to 15 meters, and seem to prefer areas with good tidal flow, such as the outer edges of coral reefs.
Although they live in groups, the red-spotted anemone fish has the habit of changing sex from female to male during their lifetime, which means that males and females sometimes form separate groups.
·Feature
It is about 7cm long, has a slightly elongated, oval body shape, and a laterally compressed head.
The operculum has two spines, the rear edge of the eye has a small projection, and the tail fin is deeply notched.
The area around the eyes and tail fin is light blue, the body is pink, and the dorsal fin is dark pink, giving it a vivid body color, but the female is a lighter orange color than the male, so it gives a more dull impression than the male.
It is very similar to the Purple Queen, which is in the same family, but it is possible to tell them apart by their body color.
It is possible to keep the red-spotted anthias as a pet.
The grouper family includes many delicious, high-quality fish, but the red sea bass is a small fish and is not used for food.
Although its lifespan of 3 to 5 years seems short for its size, the red-spotted anthias is beautiful to look at and is the easiest fish in the anthias genus to feed and keep, making it a popular fish among aquarists, both for display in aquariums and as an ornamental fish.
Diving spot where you can see the red-spotted anthias
In Japan, they can be seen off the coasts of Miyakojima, Irabujima, and Shimojijima in the Yaeyama Islands.
Located north of Ikema Island, "Anatha Arch" is a spot where, as its name suggests, schools of red-spotted anatha fish and goldfish surround the arch.
The water is only 10m deep, so it is very bright and beautiful when the sun shines through.
"Triple Three (333)" is a point named after its location in the 333-degree direction as seen from the control tower of Shimoji Island. It is the northernmost point on Shimoji Island and is not an easy place to get to due to the strong currents and susceptibility to wind and waves. However, it is a popular spot where you can observe marine life, such as large schools of red-spotted anthias in the shallows, and encounters with large fish such as white-tip sharks and Napoleon sharks.
Located off the coast of Irabu Island, Overhang is a dynamic spot, as its name suggests, characterized by its hollowed-out topography.
The schools of red-spotted anthias and pygmy butterflyfish are beautiful, and if you're lucky you might even spot a napping sea turtle.
You can take commemorative photos with the hidden gem, the pigskin coral, and observe rare creatures such as white socks.
Kijaka, located north of Ikema Island, is a representative spot for Yaebiji, with a shallow depth of 1 to 15 meters and almost no current, making it a safe spot for beginners to intermediate anglers to enjoy.
The beautiful scenery of colorful coral and schools of flying red-spotted anthias and goldfish is an attraction, and if you're lucky you might even encounter large migratory fish such as schools of dogtooth tuna heading out to sea.
Totty — BIGHOLIDAY Owner's Guide
I've lived in Miyako Island for 21 years (since 2005). I specialize in fun diving. I select Miyako Island's three major dive sites more than 150 times a year, and I've done about 20,000 dives in Miyako Island. YouTube "Totty / scuba diving" shares Miyakojima diving information with more than twelve thousand subscribers.
Since 2023, we have been among the top-ranked Marine Diving Award winners for three consecutive years.
2023 Japan Coast Guard Director-General's Award (for meritorious service in maritime rescue)
Discoverer of Miyako Island's first manta ray station in 2025
