Review of the splendid perches, Callanthias (Percoidei: Callanthiidae)

The splendid perches, Callanthias, make up one of two genera in the marine perciform family Callanthiidae. The seven species of these brightly colored, often stunning, planktivorous fishes are found in moderately deep waters, most commonly around rocky reefs and pinnacles. As suggested by their scientific name, they show some resemblance to members of the unrelated serranid subfamily Anthiinae. The authors' initial interest in the splendid perches emanated not only from their spectacular coloration but from specific features of their morphology and their bearing on possible relationships to other perciform fishes. -- Back cover.