Paranthias colonus

(Valenciennes, 1846)

Pacific Creole-Fish

Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean: Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) to Peru, including Revillagigedo, Galapagos, Clipperton, Cocos, and Malpelo Islands.

Size: 14 inches (35 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits reef areas in waters 30 to 200 feet (10 – 60 m) deep and spends its time above reef formations feeding on zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Adults have a reddish grey body with blue or violet spots on the upper aft body. Juveniles are overall yellow. Not yet collected for the trade.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Serranidae

Subfamily: Epinephelinae

Genus: Paranthias

FYI: Shown here for identification only.

Aggressive towards smaller more passive fishes.

Mainly a baitfish in the local areas.