It’s no secret that Plectranthias fascinate us; P. nanus is a tiny one, P. xanthomaculatus was recently described from Taiwan and of course we have a red Plectranthias inermis running around our own tanks. Technically Plectranthias are an anthias but they behave more like a hawkfish and they have cool colors that are more like Liopropoma. We’ve written about Plectranthias sagamiensis before, but for the first time ever we have a unique video of P. sagamiensis from Blue Harbor to share with you.
Plectranthias sagamiensis is a medium sized species of Plectranthias hailing from Japan which is unique in having a variable color pattern. In a relaxed state the males are mostly orange-blotched, with the usual streamers on the dorsal spines and caudal fin. But when make P. sagamiensis get excited they display a unique white body coloration overall and the orange and yellow markings on the face remain. No one knows for sure why P. sagamiensis does this dramatic color change, the species is too rare in captivity to even begin searching for anecdotal information about this display but most likely it is nuptial in origin.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuGhaINFnZc[/youtube]
