A reef fish shaped by colour and contrast
Above the coral gardens of the Maldives, where sunlight filters down in shifting beams, the yellowback anthias hovers like a living brushstroke. Known locally as Mathi dhon bureki, this small reef fish rarely exceeds 13 centimeters, yet its presence transforms open water into a canvas of colour and motion.
Its body is sharply divided: brilliant yellow along the upper half, abruptly giving way to deep violet below. Against the blue of the surrounding sea, this contrast makes the fish instantly recognizable, even from a distance. Unlike many reef fish that cling closely to coral, the yellowback anthias spends much of its day suspended just above the reef, constantly in motion.
A body shaped for life in the water column
Compact and streamlined, the yellowback anthias is built for hovering rather than hiding. A deeply forked tail provides quick bursts of speed, while its fins—strongly scaled at their bases—offer stability in shifting currents. The dorsal fin carries either 10 or 11 spines, followed by 16–18 soft rays, and the anal fin bears 3 spines and 8 rays, a configuration well suited to sustained swimming.
In males, the upper lip thickens into a small protruding papilla, a subtle feature linked to social display and dominance. Unlike some relatives, there are no elongated fin spines; agility and colour do the work instead.
A home shaped by coral patches and sunlight
This species is common on coral reefs at depths of less than 40 meters, where reef patches meet open water. During daylight hours, individuals move upward from the coral into the water column, feeding continuously on drifting plankton carried by the currents.
Confined largely to the Indian Ocean, the yellowback anthias is one of the most visually striking members of its group—and one of the most popular in the aquarium trade, prized for its colour and constant movement.
A small fish with a lasting impression
Though easily overlooked among larger reef inhabitants, the yellowback anthias adds life to spaces that might otherwise seem empty. By occupying the water above the reef, it connects coral structures to the open ocean, turning light-filled space into habitat.
Species snapshot
- English name: Yellowback anthias
- Local name: Mathi dhon bureki
- Family: Serranidae
- Maximum size: 13 cm
- Habitat: Coral reefs to 40 m
- Diet: Plankton
- Distribution: Indian Ocean
Reference
M.R.S. (1997). Fishes of the Maldives. Marine Research Section, Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, Republic of Maldives. 408 pp.
