Lyretail anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Sea goldie
Family
Serranidae (sea basses and groupers), subfamily Anthiadinae
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
15 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
500 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
yes

Care

Anthias swim in open water, so give plenty of free swimming room above the rockwork, good flow and caves to retreat into at night. The minimum tank size of about 500 litres is our own estimate from the adult size and habits, not a figure from the sources. No species-specific water figures are given in the sources, so the values here are general marine aquarium guidance rather than figures for this fish: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and a specific gravity of 1.023–1.026. Keep conditions stable, with low nitrate and good oxygenation. Usually kept in a group of one male with several females. One of the hardier anthias. Males can be aggressive towards each other, so keep one male with several females. Females are orange with a lyre-shaped tail; males are magenta with red fin markings and a long third dorsal spine. Anthias are commonly traded. Like most anthias they are thought to change sex from female to male. This page was written from the Wikipedia list entry only; the species article could not be checked this time, so details should be confirmed before relying on them. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A planktivore. Needs small, frequent feeds, ideally three or more times a day: frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, fish roe and fine marine pellets or flakes.

Breeding

Like other anthias it is a pelagic spawner and a protogynous hermaphrodite: fish start as females and the dominant one becomes male. Not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Listed as reef safe: it feeds in the water column and leaves corals and invertebrates alone. Suits peaceful reef communities; avoid large predators and very boisterous fish that outcompete it at feeding time.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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