BASSES (INCLUDING ANTHIAS, GROUPERS, & HAMLETS)

About Basses (including Anthias, Groupers & Hamlets)

Class: Actinopterygii (Greek aktis = ray, thunderbolt, beam + Greek pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin.)

Order: Perciformes (Greek, perke = perch + Latin, forma = shape)
Family: Serranidae (Latin, serranus = derived from saw, fish saw)
Subfamily: Anthiinae
Genera: Anatolanthias, Anthias, Caesioperca, Caprodon, Dactylanthias, Giganthias Hemanthias, Holanthias, Hypoplectrodes, Lepidoperca, Luzonichthys, Nemanthias, Odontanthias, Othos, Plectranthias, Pronotogrammus, Pseudanthias, Rabaulichthys Sacura, Selenanthias, Serranocirrhitus, Tosana, Tosanoides, Trachypoma

Subfamily: Epinephelinae
Tribe: Diploprionini
Genera: Aulacocephalus, Belonoperca, Diploprion
Tribe: Epinephelini
Genera: Aethaloperca, Alphestes, Anyperodon, Cephalopholis, Chromileptes, Dermatolepis, Epinephelides, Epinephelus, Gonioplectrus, Gracila, Mycteroperca, Paranthias, Plectropomus, Saloptia, Triso, Variola
Tribe: Grammistini
Genera: Aporops, Grammistes, Grammistops, Jeboehlkia, Pogonoperca, Pseudogramma, Rypticus, Suttoni
Tribe: Liopropomini
Genera: Bathyanthias, Liopropoma, Rainfordia
Tribe: Niphonini
Genera: Niphon

Subfamily: Serraninae
Genera: Bullisichthys, Centropristis, Chelidoperca, Cratinus, Diplectrum Dules, Hypoplectrus, Paralabrax, Parasphyraenops, Schultzea, Serraniculus, Serranus

Known to divers as reeffish, wreckfish and jewelfish, these fish are synonymous with tropical reefs. Despite the fact they have a reputation for being poor shippers, finicky eaters and prone to protozoan and bacterial infestations when stressed, Anthias are amongst the most beautiful reef fish in the ocean. Luckily for the aquarist, some are both peaceful and relatively hardy.

Groupers and hamlets are basses (like Anthias), and the smaller ones generally make good aquarium specimens. While large groupers can weigh as much as a horse, there are more diminutive ones that are perfect for the home aquarium, and the hamlets are remarkable for their good looks. Theses fishes are generally interesting, hardy and long-lived.