Ryukyu Longfinned Anthias

Photo: Shigeru Harazaki · © all rights reserved

Dense schools of anthias hover above the reef outside the cave entrance, filtering zooplankton from the passing current in tight feeding formations. Their rose and gold colouring intensifies under sunlight, creating vivid clouds of colour against the coral. Each school is structured around a dominant male who patrols the territory and rapidly changes colour when displaying to females.