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Basics

Scientific Name: Pseudanthias squamipinnis

Family: Serranidae

Origin: Indo Pacific, Maldives, Fiji, Indonesia

Quick Facts

• Care Level: Moderate
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive
• Lifespan: 5-7 years, possibly longer
• Reef Compatible: Yes
• Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Maximum Size: 5"
• Diet: Carnivore
• Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons (for group)

Overview

Lyretail Anthias are an interesting species in that their sexual dimorphism is extremely obvious. Females, though still bold and beautiful, are a more subdued orange color with a yellow underbelly and yellow fins. A single red stripe runs from their purple eyes down to their pectoral fin. Males are much more extravagant--ranging from pink, to red, to vibrant purple in color, with red fins and one long, streaming fin on the top. They share the same purple eyes and red stripe running to their pectoral fin. 

This species is best kept in a group of females with one male. If there is more than one male, they may fight with each other. They can live with other community fish as well, and do great in a reef tank. Like other anthias, they require a meaty diet consisting of live, frozen and flake food and must be fed multiple times a day. 

Like all anthias, Lyretail Anthias are hermaphrodites. They all hatch as females and then the most dominant female within a group becomes the male, and if the male dies, he is replaced.