Sunburst Anthias – Serranocirrhitus latus

Sunburst Anthias (Serranocirrhitus latus) are also sometimes called Fathead Anthias for their stocky, rounded bodies or Hawkfish Anthias for their habit of perching on corals and rockwork. They are pinkish-purple with yellow-orange tipped scales. The dorsal region is typically more yellow, and the belly is more purple. Yellow stripes radiate from the eye. Females tend to have a lighter color than males do but are not drastically different in coloration. These are deepwater anthias and do best in tanks with dimmer lighting. They do not form large schools like many other anthias species.

Anthias are closely related to the often large and aggressive predators known collectively as Groupers but have much more peaceful temperaments. Within the Anthinnae subfamily, the temperament can still range from very passive and docile to downright bold but most are still peaceful compared to many of the other fish reputed to be \