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The fairy basselets or anthias (subfamily Anthiinae) are also groupers. Anthias, which hover in large schools around coral heads and soft coral colonies, picking plankton from the water, are very beautiful, and staples of underwater photography. Their names—the peach fairy basslet (Pseudanthias diaspar), the purple queen (P. pascalus and P. tuka) and the square spot anthias (P. pleurotaenia)—hint at their lovely colors.

Anthias are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning that the fish all mature as females, and then a few undergo a terminal sex-change to male. These terminal males exhibit distinct, and very striking colors.

The dottybacks (Pseudochromidae), also among the real jewels of the reef, are small, secretive fishes that hide in caves and under ledges.

Another unique member of the grouper family is the comet (Calloplesiops altivelis). This small fish has long, black fins covered with a multitude of white spots. Because of the ocelli on the fins, and the fish's movements, it is thought to be a Batesian mimic of the juvenile spotted moray eel (Gymnothorax meleagris). A Batesian mimic uses its resemblence to a known dangerous animal to discourage predation.