Pseudanthias flavicauda Randall & Pyle, 2001
Yellowtail anthias
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Anthiadidae (Fairy basslets or Streamer basses)
Max. size:  6.58 cm SL (male/unsexed); 5.6 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 30 - 61 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: off islands of Fiji. Recently recorded from Tonga (Ref. 53797).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-7; Vertebrae: 26-26. Body depth 3.1-3.3 in SL; head length 3.15-3.3 in SL. Posterior edge of orbit without papillae. Caudal fin deeply emarginate to lunate, the caudal concavity 1.05-2.5 in HL. Body of males magenta with a large predominantly yellow area on back between base of 4th dorsal spine and 4th or 5th dorsal soft rays; head pink, suffused with yellow dorsally, with a pink-edged yellow band from eye to pectoral-fin base; fins mainly yellow except anal which is lavender with a yellow band; its upper lip slightly fleshy and finely papillae anteriorly, but not developed to a protuberance; its third dorsal spine moderately elongate, 1.5-1.95 in HL. Females orange-pink, shading to pink ventrally, the scales dorsally on body with dusky yellow centers; caudal fin bright yellow (Ref. 48242).
Biology:  FishBase common name coined by authors.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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