Orange Basslet, Pseudanthias squamipinnis (Peters, 1855)

Scientific name: Pseudanthias squamipinnis
Alternative name/s:
Orange Fairy Basslet, Orange Seaperch, Scalefin Anthias
Orange Basslet Click to enlarge image
An Orange Basslet at a depth of 15m, Fish Rock, South West Rocks, New South Wales, 10 September 1998. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Pseudanthias
    Species
    squamipinnis
    Family
    Serranidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 15 cm in length.

Introduction

Colouring in the Orange Basslet differs between males and females. In Australia the species is known from the northern Great Barrier Reef, south to the central coast of New South Wales.

Identification

Colouring in the Orange Basslet differs according to sex of an individual. Females are orange to yellow with pale purple scale margins, while males are purplish with a yellow spot on the body scales and a large purplish blotch on the pectoral fin. Both sexes have an orange stripe across the cheek. The male also has a greatly elongated third dorsal fin spine and a lunate caudal fin with longer lobes than the female.The Orange Basslet is characterised by sexual dimorphism. One of the common names, Scalefin Anthias, refers to the heavily scaled fins.

Orange Basslet

A male Orange Basslet at a depth of 20m, 'Captain's Table', Wreck Bay, far northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, 29 November 2001.

Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Western Pacific. In Australia it is known from the northern Great Barrier Reef, south to the central coast of New South Wales.

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

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. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  6. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.