FAIRY BASSLET
The term ; "Fairy Basslet" is the general name for the tropic members of the sea bass family. They are small colorful fish that have a wide range of colors and patterms, however, like the many other reef fish, the males are more vividly colored than the females. The unique aspect of the "Fairy Basslet" is though that these fish can change sex, from female to male.
Order : Perciformes
Family : Serranidae
Genus : Anthias
Average Length : Varies, up to 5 inches, according to species
Average Weight : 1-to-2 ounces, according to species
Diet : Zooplankton, tiny marine animals, crustaceans and fish
Lifespan : Unknown
Food, Feeding and Hunting : The small fairy basslets feed mainly on zooplankton, although the larger species may catch small marine animals and fish. When the fairy basslets leave for hunting, they emerge from the coral reef in large schools seeking clear waters with active currents, for they are rich in zooplankton. They may also be seen in outer reef slopes and lagoon passes.
Breeding : The fairy basslets bred at dusk to avoid predators. The male displays to nearby mature females his colorful body and he makes his dorsal fin and spines erect. When a female is inticed, the male rubs against the sides of the female and belly. Then, they swim together rapidly to the surface of the water. As the male emancipates his sperm, the female releases thousands of eggs which drift together away from the predators of the reef.
Distribution : Fairy Basslets are common in coral reefs throughout the world. However, large populations are known to be in the Indian and Pacific oceans, especially near the Great Barrier Reef.There is also a dense conservation of fairy basslets in reefs of the Carribean.
Conservation : The fairy basslet is highly diverse, nevertheless, the continuation of the destruction being done to coral reefs and the constant pollution being disposed of in the ocean may harm it's numbers in the future. The collection for home aquariums may also endanger the more colorful species.
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