Goldie ( Lyertail Anthias ) XL 7-9cm

The Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis), also known as the Goldie Anthias, is one of the most beautiful and active reef fish commonly kept in saltwater aquariums. Below is a detailed description and care guide to help ensure they thrive in captivity.

🐠 Description

• Common Names: Lyretail Anthias, Goldie, Scalefin Anthias

• Scientific Name: Pseudanthias squamipinnis

• Origin: Indo-Pacific region – from the Red Sea to the western Pacific Ocean.

• Size: Females typically reach 3–4 inches (8–10 cm); males can grow up to 5 inches (12–13 cm).

• Coloration:

  • Females: Vibrant orange or reddish-orange with a lavender or purple eye stripe.

  • Males: More vivid, often with purple or magenta highlights and an elongated, lyre-shaped tail.

• Sex & Behavior: Lyretail Anthias are protogynous hermaphrodites — all start as females; the dominant one may transform into a male if no male is present.

🌊 Tank Requirements

They appreciate plenty of rockwork with caves and overhangs for shelter, along with open swimming space.

🍤 Diet

Lyretail Anthias are planktivores in the wild, feeding on zooplankton drifting in the water column.

In captivity:

• Offer small, frequent feedings (2–3 times daily).

• Ideal foods include:

  • Enriched brine shrimp

  • Mysis shrimp

  • Copepods

  • Finely chopped seafood

  • High-quality marine pellets or frozen plankton diets

They may refuse food initially; live foods can help start feeding behavior.

🧘♀️ Behavior and Compatibility

• Social Structure: Best kept in harems (one male with several females).

• Two males in the same tank often fight, unless the system is very large.

• Peaceful toward most other fish, though males can be territorial with similar species.

• Reef-safe: They do not harm corals or invertebrates.

❤️ Care Level

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Temperament: Peaceful but active

• Lifespan: 5–7 years (with good care)

Tips for success:

• Keep water quality high and stable — anthias are sensitive to nitrate buildup.

• Provide multiple hiding places to reduce stress.

• Don’t allow them to go without food for long periods; their high metabolism requires frequent feeding.

🧬 Interesting Fact

If the dominant male dies, the largest female will change sex within a few weeks — developing the male’s coloration and elongated fins!