Plectranthias ahiahiata is newest inductee to a group of fish that are among the most interesting of the rare deepwater reef fish in the aquarium hobby. Interestingly, we were treated to a preview of this new fish as soon as it was discovered in Easter Island just over a year ago.
Discovered alongside some gorgeous new species that also included anthias and damselfish, the newly minted Plectranthias ahiahiata is a classic, beautiful Plectranthias sporting a combination of yellow and red colors. The body of Plectranthias ahiahiata is mostly orange with red markings towards the tail, a yellow face, belly and ventral fins, with few subtle orange stripes behind the eyes.
Like so many new species of reef fish and especially Plectranthias, P. ahiahiata was collected a long way down at a depth of 83 meters, or about 270 feet on a rocky reef habitat in Easter Island. The meaning of Plectranthias ahiahiata‘s peculiar name is a Rapa Nui for “the last moments of light before nightfall” which is a nod to this fish’s resemblance to a beautiful Easter Island sunset.
Plectranthias ahiahiataZooKeysis described by Sheperd et. al. in the latest issue of .
