Lyretail Anthias

Psuedanthias squamipinnis

Lyretail Anthias

Psuedanthias squamipinnis

Other Common Names
Sea Goldie, Lyretail Coralfish, Lyretail Fairy Basslet

Connected Coasts

Other Common Names

Sea Goldie, Lyretail Coralfish, Lyretail Fairy Basslet

At the Aquarium

Connected Coasts

Appearance

Female lyretail anthias found near the coasts of Australia are bright orange. Males are purple with a noticeable purple spot on their pectoral fin and a long third dorsal spine. Both females and males have an orange stripe below their eye. Color patterns can vary from one location to another. Maximum length of 15 cm.

Habitat

Coral outcrops of clear lagoons and outer reef slopes. Coral outcrops are higher than the surrounding reef and may be partially exposed at low tide. Lyretail anthias are very territorial and tend to stay within 20 m of their home rock or coral outcrop.

Diet

Zooplankton

Life History

Lyretail anthias are pelagic spawners, meaning that eggs and sperm are released into the water. Once eggs hatch, the larvae develop into juveniles who eventually settle onto reefs and grow into adults. On the Great Barrier reef and off southern Japan, spawning takes place during the summer. In the Red Sea, spawning occurs in the winter.

Lyretail anthias live in groups called harems, with one male herding or controlling several females. This species has both male and female reproductive organs. They all start life as females and are capable of changing into males. The most dominant fish, usually the largest, will turn into a male. Female to male change is influenced by the absence or removal of males from social groups.

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Lyretail anthias are considered secondary consumers and play an important role in transferring nutrients/energy to upper levels of the food chain.

Widespread through the Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea south to south Africa east to Niue, north to central Japan and Jeju-do Island and south to New South Wales, Australia.

This animal is not native to the Oregon Coast, however is found in the larger Pacific Ocean. It lives in the Aquarium as part of our Connected Coasts gallery.

When a female lyretail anthias changes into a male they also change color.

Citations & Other Resources

Kuiter, R. H. 1997. Guide to sea fishes of Australia. New Holland, Frenchs Forest, Australia.

Myers, R. F. 1989. Micronesian reef fishes: a practical guide to the identification of the coral reef fishes of the tropical central and western Pacific. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Territory of Guam, U.S.A.

Williams, J.T., A. Lawrence & R. Myers. 2016. Pseudanthias squamipinnis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016.

Lyretail Anthias

Lyretail Anthias

Other Common Names

At the Aquarium

Appearance

Habitat

Diet

Life History

IUCN Status

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Citations & Other Resources

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