Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias Squamipinnis)

The Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis), also known as the Sea Goldie or Scalefin Anthias, is a vibrant and active marine fish native to the Indo-West Pacific and Red Sea. Females feature a radiant golden-orange body with a purple eye stripe, while dominant males display a striking purplish-red coloration with an elongated dorsal spine and lyre-shaped tail.

As active planktivores, they thrive in established reef aquariums with open swimming space and peaceful tank mates. They form dynamic harem groups where the dominant female transitions into a male, bringing continuous motion and brilliant color to reef environments.

Key Features

Highlights

• Scientific Name: Pseudanthias squamipinnis
• Primary Common Name: Lyretail Anthias
• Other Common Names: Sea Goldie, Scalefin Anthias, Orange Anthias
• Origin: Indo-West Pacific, Red Sea
• Max Size: Male: 6 inches (15 cm); Female: 3 inches (7 cm)
• Temperament: Semi-Aggressive / Active (Haremic Shoaler)
• Diet: Carnivore (High-frequency Plankton Feeder)
• Minimum Tank Size: 75 Gallons (for single/pair); 125+ Gallons (for group/harem)
• Reef Compatibility: Yes (Completely safe with corals and most inverts)

Materials & care

• Diet: The Lyretail Anthias is a carnivore and a demanding plankton feeder with a high metabolism. In the wild, they feed constantly on zooplankton floating in the water column. In captivity, they must be fed small amounts of food at least 2-3 times per day, and ideally 3-4 times. They require a varied diet of fine, meaty frozen foods like enriched mysis shrimp, copepods, enriched brine shrimp, and high-quality fine marine pellets or flakes. Failure to feed frequently is the leading cause of poor health.
• Social Structure: They thrive in a harem structure (one male with multiple females). Housing more than one male in an aquarium less than 180 gallons is not recommended, as the dominant male will harass a subordinate male. They should be introduced to the tank as a group of females or juveniles, allowing the dominant specimen to naturally transition into the male.
• Reef Compatibility: It is completely reef safe. This fish will not bother corals or sessile invertebrates. Caution is sometimes advised with the smallest, most ornamental shrimp species, but they are generally safe with most clean-up crew members.
• Temperament: It is semi-aggressive and active. They are peaceful toward most other fish but can be semi-aggressive toward smaller or less boisterous planktivores, particularly their own kind or other anthias. They should be housed with peaceful to semi-aggressive fish that will not harass them or compete too fiercely for food.

Compatibility

Completely reef-safe with corals and most invertebrates. Best housed in a harem structure with one male and multiple females alongside peaceful to semi-aggressive tank mates. A secure, tight-fitting aquarium lid is required to prevent jumping.

Important Fulfillment Information

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