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Lyretail Anthias
Pseudanthias squamipinnis
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Serranidae
📍 Indo-Pacific — Red Sea to Japan
One of the most colourful reef fish — females orange-pink, males dazzling magenta-purple with elongated tail filaments. Best kept in a harem (one male, multiple females) with strong flow and frequent feeding.
Care Guide
Diet
Lyretail Anthias are carnivorous and require frequent small feedings—ideally once daily. Offer a varied diet of mysis shrimp, copepods, small crustaceans, and high-quality PE (prepared) pellets designed for anthias. They have fast metabolisms and will not thrive on infrequent feeding schedules.
Behavior
These fish are active mid-water swimmers that display striking sexual dimorphism and hierarchical behavior. Males are territorial and display elaborate courtship with elongated tail filaments, while females remain more subdued in coloration. They are generally peaceful but require strong water flow and should be kept in a harem structure (one male with 4+ females) to minimize aggression.
Breeding
Breeding Lyretail Anthias in captivity is extremely difficult and rarely successful in home aquaria. They are sequential hermaphrodites with complex social hierarchies that are difficult to replicate in confined spaces. Successful breeding requires large tanks (150+ gallons), pristine water conditions, and specific environmental triggers that are poorly understood in captive settings.
Tank Mates
Similar reef-safe temperament and water requirements; occupy different tank zones
Beneficial symbiotic relationship; anthias tolerate cleaning behavior
Small, peaceful reef fish with compatible salinity and temperature needs
Nocturnal behavior reduces competition; similar water parameters
Fast-moving fish that occupies lower tank zones; minimal interaction
Reef-safe algae grazer; provides cleanup without competing for food
Common Diseases
Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against surfaces, lethargy
Increase temperature to 28-29°C, maintain excellent water quality, use copper-based treatments or hyposalinity therapy; quarantine affected fish
Bacterial Infection
Torn fins, open sores, discoloration, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite
Improve water quality and flow, perform frequent water changes, use antibiotic treatments if severe; ensure adequate nutrition to boost immunity
Nutritional Deficiency
Faded coloration, lethargy, reduced appetite, stunted growth, loss of tail filaments in males
Increase feeding frequency to 3+ times daily, diversify diet with vitamin-enriched foods, supplement with quality pellets and frozen foods
Parasitic Infection (Flukes/Copepods)
Excessive scratching, visible parasites on gills or skin, rapid breathing, weight loss
Quarantine fish, use freshwater dips or medicated baths, treat with antiparasitic medications; maintain pristine water conditions
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- diet
- carnivore — mysis, copepods, PE pellets
- maxSize
- 5 inches
- minTankSize
- 70 gallons
- temperature
- 73–82°F (23–28°C)
Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C