{"product_id":"lyretail-anthias-female-pseudanthias-squamipinnis-saltwater","title":"Lyretail Anthias Female (Pseudanthias squamipinnis)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eLyretail Anthias\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePseudanthias squamipinnis\u003c\/em\u003e) is the fish that makes a reef tank look like a reef. Females wear a warm golden orange with a violet stripe running from the eye back along the cheek, and they spend the whole day hovering in the current in loose, shimmering groups rather than hiding in the rockwork. This listing is for \u003cstrong\u003efemales\u003c\/strong\u003e, which are the right starting point for almost every tank: they are the more peaceful sex, they school readily, and a group of them is how a natural harem begins. Peaceful and completely reef safe, the only reason this species is rated intermediate is its appetite, which is covered in detail below. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to round out the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeed two to three times a day. This is the whole ballgame.\u003c\/strong\u003e Anthias are planktivores built to graze continuously, and they burn through energy fast. A single daily feeding is the number one reason these fish waste away in home tanks. Small, frequent portions of meaty food are what keep them fat and colored up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to feed:\u003c\/strong\u003e frozen \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e is the gold standard, rotated with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-cyclops-cube-3-5oz\"\u003ecyclops\u003c\/a\u003e and enriched brine. Once settled, most will also take a small marine pellet such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pe-pellets-saltwater-1mm-4oz\"\u003ePE 1mm Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e, which makes the midday feeding far easier to keep up with.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep them in groups.\u003c\/strong\u003e Three or more females is the minimum for natural behavior, and larger groups look better and settle faster. Add the whole group at once where possible, since fish introduced later can get pushed around by an established pecking order.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne male per group, at most.\u003c\/strong\u003e Two males in the same tank will fight. If you want a full harem, pair a single \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/lyretail-anthias-male-pseudanthias-squamipinnis-saltwater\"\u003emale Lyretail Anthias\u003c\/a\u003e with several of these females.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 70 gallons or larger for a small group, and more for a full harem. They are open-water swimmers, so length and unobstructed swimming room matter more than raw volume.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow and rockwork:\u003c\/strong\u003e moderate to strong current with rockwork they can duck behind. They hover facing into the flow all day, which is exactly the behavior you are paying for, so aim a powerhead across the open water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.025, dKH 8 to 12. Stability matters more than hitting any one number.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid recommended:\u003c\/strong\u003e anthias are fast, nervous swimmers and will jump when startled, particularly in the first couple of weeks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePseudanthias squamipinnis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLyretail Anthias, Scalefin Anthias, Sea Goldie\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSex\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFemale, golden orange with a violet cheek stripe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate, due to feeding frequency\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes, fully\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFemales 2.5 to 3 inches, males to 5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum group\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e3 females, more is better\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e70 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore, planktivore, 2 to 3 feedings daily\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSwimming level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOpen water, middle to upper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIndo-Pacific and Red Sea reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenuinely peaceful and one of the easiest fish to add to a stocked reef, provided its tank mates are not fast, greedy eaters that strip the tank before the anthias get their share. Excellent companions include the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/banggai-cardinalfish-pterapogon-kauderni-saltwater\"\u003eBanggai Cardinalfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-green-chromis-chromis-viridis-saltwater\"\u003eBlue Green Chromis\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/wyoming-white-clownfish-amphiprion-ocellaris-saltwater\"\u003eWyoming White Clownfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/firefish-goby-nemateleotris-magnifica-saltwater\"\u003eFirefish Goby\u003c\/a\u003e, and grazers such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/flame-fin-tomini-tang-ctenochaetus-tominiensis-saltwater\"\u003eFlame Fin Tomini Tang\u003c\/a\u003e. Corals, clams, and ornamental inverts are all completely safe, including the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/scarlet-skunk-cleaner-shrimp-lysmata-amboinensis-saltwater\"\u003eScarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat to avoid: large aggressive predators, and any tank where feeding is a competition. Anthias are timid at the dish and will simply go without rather than fight for food, which is how a healthy fish quietly thins out over a couple of months. If you keep boisterous eaters, feed the anthias first or use a second feeding station at the other end of the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePiscine Energetics PE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e, the staple frozen food for anthias\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-cyclops-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Cyclops\u003c\/a\u003e for small-mouthed grazing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pe-pellets-saltwater-1mm-4oz\"\u003ePE 1mm Saltwater Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e to make midday feedings practical\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/vitalis-marine-grazing-pellets-saltwater-fish-food\"\u003eVitalis Marine Grazing Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e as a slow-release option\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/lyretail-anthias-male-pseudanthias-squamipinnis-saltwater\"\u003eMale Lyretail Anthias\u003c\/a\u003e to complete a harem\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan one of my females turn into a male?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, and it is one of the most interesting things this species does. Lyretail Anthias are protogynous hermaphrodites: every fish starts life female, and if a group has no male, the dominant female will change sex over several weeks, deepening to magenta and growing the long lyre-shaped fin extensions. Buy three or four females, add no male, and you may well end up with a harem that built itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I buy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThree females is the practical minimum, five or more looks considerably better. Add them together rather than one at a time, since a group that establishes its order all at once settles far more peacefully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is this rated intermediate if it is peaceful and reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePurely because of feeding. Anthias need two or three small meals a day, and a tank on a once-daily schedule will slowly starve them no matter how good the water is. If your routine can support multiple feedings, or you use a feeder, these are otherwise straightforward fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it bother my corals?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Anthias hover in open water and eat plankton. They are safe with every coral, clam, and ornamental shrimp we sell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between the male and the female?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFemales are golden orange with a violet stripe near the eye and stay around 3 inches. Males are larger, magenta to purple-red, with an elongated third dorsal spine and a deeply forked tail. A tank can hold many females but only one male.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48518264193243,"sku":"SW3-SW1870","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_b635b399-31ad-4c51-8c52-b285cbd223d5.jpg?v=1774634701","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/lyretail-anthias-female-pseudanthias-squamipinnis-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}