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Lyretail Anthias
Anthias

Lyretail Anthias

Pseudanthias squamipinnis

A shimmering orange-and-magenta shoaling anthias — the classic "reef curtain" fish that drapes open water in colour. It is peaceful toward other species but organises into a harem of one brighter male over several females, and it needs both horizontal swim room and frequent small feedings, which is what pushes it to intermediate rather than beginner. Lone fish fade; a solitary female may change sex to male. A strong jumper that wants a large, lidded, open-topped tank.

Temperament
Peaceful
Max size
4.7"
Min tank
75 gal
Reef-safe
Reef safe
Diet
Planktivore
Zone
Mid-water, Open water, Surface
Keep one male with several females in a large tank.
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Tankmates

How Lyretail Anthias gets on with the rest of the reef, checked pair by pair by the same engine as the live pre-flight.

Best kept apart

A real clash — aggression, predation or a same-genus fight.

Purple TangPurple Tang (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lyretail Anthias and may harass it.Randall's AnthiasRandall's anthias is a shy deep-water species; the lyretail is one of the boldest and pushiest anthias. Mixed together the two males contest dominance and the Randall's stays hidden. Needs a large, dimly lit tank to have a chance.Dispar AnthiasTwo anthias species means two males competing for the same dominant role. Lyretails are one of the feistiest anthias, and a male lyretail's chasing is more than a milder dispar will tolerate. Only try this in a large tank with plenty of females to spread the aggression.Sunburst AnthiasA male lyretail's boisterous chasing is fine for its own females but overwhelming for a passive species. The sunburst anthias is a shy cave-dweller and will retreat rather than compete, so it feeds badly.Picasso TriggerfishPicasso Triggerfish (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lyretail Anthias and may harass it.Dragon WrasseDragon Wrasse has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Lyretail Anthias.Volitans LionfishVolitans Lionfish has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Lyretail Anthias.Snowflake MoraySnowflake Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Lyretail Anthias.Zebra MorayZebra Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Lyretail Anthias.Chainlink MorayChainlink Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Lyretail Anthias.Golden Dwarf MorayGolden Dwarf Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Lyretail Anthias.Rectangle TriggerfishRectangle Triggerfish (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lyretail Anthias and may harass it.Clown TriggerfishClown Triggerfish (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lyretail Anthias and may harass it.Miniata GrouperMiniata Grouper (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lyretail Anthias and may harass it.Panther GrouperPanther Grouper (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lyretail Anthias and may harass it.Six-Line SoapfishSix-Line Soapfish has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Lyretail Anthias.Painted FrogfishPainted Frogfish has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Lyretail Anthias.Dogface PufferDogface Puffer has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Lyretail Anthias.Porcupine PufferPorcupine Puffer has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Lyretail Anthias.Lunare WrasseLunare Wrasse (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lyretail Anthias and may harass it.

Keep an eye on these

Usually fine, but worth watching in a smaller tank.

Sailfin TangSailfin Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lyretail Anthias and may harass it.Red Coris WrasseRed Coris Wrasse (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lyretail Anthias and may harass it.Emperor AngelfishEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lyretail Anthias and may harass it.One Spot FoxfaceRabbitfish are listed among the fish that outcompete anthias for food. Lyretails are the boldest anthias and cope better than most, but in a smaller tank the foxface still takes the lion's share at feeding time.Queen AngelfishQueen Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lyretail Anthias and may harass it.Blueface AngelfishBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lyretail Anthias and may harass it.Niger TriggerfishNiger Triggerfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lyretail Anthias and may harass it.Blonde Naso TangBlonde Naso Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lyretail Anthias and may harass it.Desjardini Sailfin TangDesjardini Sailfin Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Lyretail Anthias and may harass it.