Lyretail Anthias Female (Pseudanthias squamipinnis)

The Lyretail Anthias, otherwise known as the Scalefin Anthias, are brightly colored fish known for exhibiting gender dimorphism.

 

Female Lyretail Anthias are orange-red in body with bright orange dorsal and caudal fins, and yellow pelvic and anal fins. Males however, are purple bodied with a variation of red hues coloring their fins.

 

It is best to house the Lyretail Anthias in a 125 gallon tank or larger with plenty of hiding places. Male Lyretails should be kept alone or in a group with several females. Although they can be semi-aggressive, these fish do well in species-specific aquariums and can be kept in groups. Anthias are hermaphroditic. If the dominant male in the aquarium perishes, the largest female of the group will change genders to take its role. 

 

Diet

The diet of the Lyretail Anthias should include: frozen mysis shrimp, frozen brine shrimp, flake foods, and live food from a refugium which cultivates copepods and amphipods.