A Diesel Work Lemon
Animal Kingdom
The cherry anthias, also known as the Sakura anthias (a.k.a. Sakuradai () in Japan), is a large, attractive and very hardy member of the family Serranidae (groupers and their allies) and the sub-family Anthiinae (the anthias). Their genus name Sacura refers to their red coloration, like a cherry fruit. The species name margaritacea means "pearly" and describes the white pearlescent spots on the sides of adult males (Jordan and Richardson 1910). They are found on rocky reefs in the coastal waters of Japan usually at depths of 75 to 200 feet (Hemdal 2006). They range throughout the Northwest Pacific Ocean, possibly as far south as at least Taiwan in deeper water (Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2009).
Like most anthias, they are protogynous hermaphrodites; as they grow, they transform from juveniles into functional females. As they grow still larger, (and under certain environmental conditions) they become males. The dividing size between females and males is 4.5"; most fish larger than that size are males (Okada 1965). A full grown male can reach 6" standard length (not including the caudal fin and filaments).
In recent years, a few of these fish have entered the aquarium trade in the United States from Japan. Introductory prices have been steep, $250 to $500 retail, depending on the fish's size. However, it is unlikely that this species will see a subsequent price drop as is often noticed in "new to the hobby" fish from other regions. For example, the first mandarin dragonets had a retail price of over $300 back in the early 1970's, but the price dropped to around $20 within a few months (Hemdal 2006). With the Sakura, their origin in a highly developed country, (Japan) means that collectors and shippers of the fish will always require higher compensation for their fish, and the distance they need to be shipped means that transport costs will always be high.
Animal Kingdom
The cherry anthias, also known as the Sakura anthias (a.k.a. Sakuradai () in Japan), is a large, attractive and very hardy member of the family Serranidae (groupers and their allies) and the sub-family Anthiinae (the anthias). Their genus name Sacura refers to their red coloration, like a cherry fruit. The species name margaritacea means "pearly" and describes the white pearlescent spots on the sides of adult males (Jordan and Richardson 1910). They are found on rocky reefs in the coastal waters of Japan usually at depths of 75 to 200 feet (Hemdal 2006). They range throughout the Northwest Pacific Ocean, possibly as far south as at least Taiwan in deeper water (Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2009).
Like most anthias, they are protogynous hermaphrodites; as they grow, they transform from juveniles into functional females. As they grow still larger, (and under certain environmental conditions) they become males. The dividing size between females and males is 4.5"; most fish larger than that size are males (Okada 1965). A full grown male can reach 6" standard length (not including the caudal fin and filaments).
In recent years, a few of these fish have entered the aquarium trade in the United States from Japan. Introductory prices have been steep, $250 to $500 retail, depending on the fish's size. However, it is unlikely that this species will see a subsequent price drop as is often noticed in "new to the hobby" fish from other regions. For example, the first mandarin dragonets had a retail price of over $300 back in the early 1970's, but the price dropped to around $20 within a few months (Hemdal 2006). With the Sakura, their origin in a highly developed country, (Japan) means that collectors and shippers of the fish will always require higher compensation for their fish, and the distance they need to be shipped means that transport costs will always be high.