Pictilis Anthias - Male

Eastern Australia from the great Barrier Reef off Cairns to NSW, juveniles expatriating south to Montague Island; Lord Howe Island and New Caledonia. Adults on outer reef habitats to about 40m depth. Juveniles in protected parts of rocky coastal and island bays on vertical walls with crevices or among boulders. Juveniles and females identified by their purple to yellow colouration. Males with distinctive caudal fin and unusual pale bar on the body. Length to 12cm.