Lyretail Anthias (male) ensconced in a nook of pink corals

Lyretail Anthias (male) ensconced in a nook of pink corals

Interestingly, the male Lyretail Anthias is more brightly coloured than the female. It’s believed this vibrant display aids in asserting dominance and attracting females within their harem. Their vivid colours, unique social structure and fascinating gender dynamics make the Lyretail Anthias a truly interesting species in the aquatic world.

When it comes to their diet, Lyretail Anthias are planktivorous, which means they feed mainly on plankton. They often venture out from the safety of the reef during the day to catch their micro-crustacean prey, and return to the reef when it’s time to rest or escape from predators.

Lyretail Anthias Facts
Common Name(s): Sea Goldie, Lyretyle Coralfish, Lyretail Anthias, Scalefin Anthias
Scientific Name: Pseudanthias squamipinnis
Family: Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Size: 7 - 15 cm
Diet: Zooplankton, floating filamentous algae
Habitat: Coral reefs, clear water lagoons, coral outcrops
Depth: 2 - 35 metres
Distribution: Western Indian Ocean, Red Sea to S. Africa; Pacific Ocean, Australia to Japan
Conservation: Not evaluated 

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