Lyretail Anthias - Female - Africa

The African female Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis), also known as the Scalefin Anthias or Sea Goldie, is a vibrant saltwater fish prized for its brilliant orange coloration, graceful swimming behavior, and lively presence in the water column. Females from African and western Indian Ocean populations typically display rich orange to reddish-orange coloration with yellow highlights on the scales and a distinctive violet-edged marking extending from beneath the eye toward the pectoral-fin area.

Native to the western Indian Ocean and East African coastline, including Mozambique and South Africa, this species inhabits clear lagoons, reef channels, coral outcrops, and outer reef slopes. In nature, females occur in large aggregations dominated by numerous females surrounding territorial males, feeding continuously on zooplankton carried through the water column.

The African female Lyretail Anthias is an excellent marine aquarium fish for established reef aquariums and spacious fish-only systems. Although generally peaceful toward unrelated species, Lyretail Anthias establish a strong social hierarchy among themselves. Females are also capable of transitioning into males if the dominant male is removed, making their social structure an important consideration when maintaining groups.

Quick Care Guide

Care Level: Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore / Planktivore
Reef Safe: Yes
Region: Western Indian Ocean – East Africa, including Mozambique and South Africa
Scientific Name: Pseudanthias squamipinnis

Tank Requirements

Provide a mature, well-established marine aquarium with extensive open swimming space above and around the rockwork. Lyretail Anthias are active water-column fish that spend much of the day swimming in open areas rather than remaining close to the substrate.

Live rock should provide caves, ledges, overhangs, and shaded retreats for nighttime shelter and protection from dominant tankmates. Multiple separate hiding areas are especially important when keeping several anthias together, allowing subordinate females to retreat from persistent chasing.

Moderate to strong, well-distributed water movement is ideal and helps reproduce the current-rich reef habitats where these fish naturally feed. Strong oxygenation and efficient filtration are also important because the frequent feeding schedule required by anthias can increase nutrient input.

A securely fitted mesh screen or aquarium lid is recommended, as anthias may jump when startled or chased.

Diet and Feeding

The African Lyretail Anthias is a carnivorous planktivore that naturally feeds on zooplankton and small crustaceans suspended above the reef.

Offer a varied diet including enriched mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, calanus, frozen plankton blends, finely chopped marine seafood, and appropriately sized high-quality marine pellets or flakes. Foods that remain suspended in the water column encourage natural feeding behavior.

Provide two to three small meals throughout the day, with additional small feedings beneficial when practical. A mature reef aquarium or refugium supporting copepods and other microcrustaceans can provide valuable supplemental feeding opportunities between meals.

Temperament and Tankmates

Female African Lyretail Anthias are generally peaceful toward unrelated community fish but can become assertive toward other anthias as a social hierarchy develops. Dominant females may chase subordinate individuals, particularly when aquarium space or hiding areas are limited.

Suitable tankmates include clownfish, gobies, blennies, fairy and flasher wrasses, tangs, rabbitfish, peaceful angelfish, and other non-predatory marine species.

A single female can be maintained successfully, while groups are best kept in larger aquariums with generous swimming room and numerous retreats. A natural social arrangement consists of one male with several females.

Lyretail Anthias are protogynous hermaphrodites. If no dominant male is present, the largest or most dominant female may gradually transition into a male, developing stronger male coloration, increased size, and more territorial behavior.

Reef Compatibility

The African female Lyretail Anthias is considered reef safe and is an excellent choice for coral-dominated aquariums. It does not normally consume or damage stony corals, soft corals, clams, or other sessile reef organisms.

It is also generally compatible with ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, and other established reef invertebrates. Tiny copepods and other planktonic crustaceans will naturally be consumed as part of its normal feeding behavior.

Water Parameters

Temperature: 75–80°F
Specific Gravity: 1.024–1.026
pH: 8.1–8.4
Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

Maintain stable, well-oxygenated water with consistently high water quality. Efficient filtration and nutrient management are particularly important because this active species benefits from multiple daily feedings. Stability is more important than targeting one exact value within these ranges.

Common Considerations

• African female coloration: Females typically display rich orange to reddish-orange coloration with yellow scale highlights and violet accents around the eye.

• Frequent feeding: Benefits from several small meals of plankton-sized, protein-rich marine foods throughout the day.

• Social hierarchy: Dominant females may chase subordinate individuals when maintained in groups.

• Sex transition: A dominant female may transition into a male when no established male is present.

• Active swimming: Requires substantial open swimming space along with multiple secure retreats within the rockwork.