The ones with red bands along the back are the rarely seen Pyronotanthias flavoguttatus. The specific name refers to the yellow spots on the body, not seen on the specimen immediately below but visible on the banded specimen on the right side in the second photo. The non-banded ones, however, also have very similar yellow spots on some specimens although markings on the back and tail are quite different. Species in this group are known to be protogynous, that is, juveniles first become females which may later develop into males. Since the banded ones have been reported to be males, it is not likely that what appear to be larger, non-banded one would be younger females, so it seems that these photos contain two different species. These were taken by Stan Jazwinski relatively deep on the steep seaward slope.
Created 28 September 2018
Updated 4 March 2023