Callanthias is a genus of splendid perches primarily found in subtropical parts of the Pacific Ocean, but C. allporti just barely penetrates the southeast Indian Ocean, C. legras is found in the southeast Atlantic, and C. ruber is found in the northeast Atlantic, including the Mediterranean. They are found over rocky reefs at depths of 20–500 m (66–1,640 ft). They are brightly marked in orange, pink, yellow and blue, and reach 18–60 cm (7.1–23.6 in) depending on the species involved.