Lyretail Anthias Care Guide

Lyretail Anthias Care Guide

Glossary: 

  1. Care Guide & Requirements 
  2. Reef Safe
  3. Prices
  4. Food & Diet 
  5. Facts 
  6. FAQs 
  7. Tank Mates & Environment

Lyretail Anthias is among the most visually appealing of the Anthias family. Also known as Pseudanthias squamipinnis or Scalefin Anthias, the largely peaceful Lyretail Anthias hails from the Indo-West Pacific Ocean and is a great addition to most saltwater tanks with the right environment. These fish are also generally inexpensive and easy to care for, with a few caveats to keep in mind.

Is the Lyretail Anthias reef safe?

Lyretail Anthias are typically reef-safe, which is due to their plankton-rich diet. You don’t need to worry about this fish nipping at your coral. Additionally, it’s a safe fish to keep around most invertebrates with the occasional exception of ornamental shrimp. 

Lyretail Anthias food and diet

You will need to give this species a period of time to get used to the tank environment before their appetite restores. When acclimating them to the tank, you can inspire their appetite with live or frozen food.

They mostly feed on plankton, meaning you shouldn’t have too much difficulty feeding them once you introduce them to your aquarium. You should feed them around three to four times per day to keep them well-fed and content. 

Some of the best foods to feed them include rotifers, copepods, brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, and amphipods.

What other fish are the best tank mates for the Lyretail Anthias?

Lyretail Anthias is a typically peaceful fish that won’t bother other fish as long as it has space to swim and explore. However, their potential for aggressive behavior will make it necessary to carefully select your Lyretail’s tank mates.

In your tank, you should only keep one male, but you can keep multiple females without issue. You may also want to avoid adding any competing fish of another Anthias species to your tank. Some of the best tank mates for a Lyretail Anthias fish include Gobies, Assessors, Tilefish, Dwarf Angelfish, and Squirrelfish.

Where to buy Lyretail Anthias

Lyretail Anthias are available from many aquarium stores, including popular online marketplaces such as:

Lyretail Anthias are beautiful and active fish that can lend some entertainment to your tank. While they may provide some challenges when it comes to care, they’re relatively easy to maintain and won’t cost much to add.

Lyretail Anthias price

You won’t need to pay much to add Lyretail Anthias to your saltwater tank. You’ll find these fish on the cheaper side, with the Lyretail Anthias price ranging from around $30 to around $70 in most cases. However, some might go for as much as $250 or more, depending on where they’re found.

Lyretail Anthias facts

The following are a few facts you may not have known about Lyretail Anthias:

 

  1. Male Lyretail Anthias can grow to around six inches, while females may grow to nearly three.
  2. They’re present in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, the East African coast, and the Red Sea.
  3. Their conservation status is currently of Least Concern, meaning their populations are likely stable.

Lyretail Anthias FAQs

How many Lyretail Anthias should you have?

Different sources will give you different numbers, but it’s often best to have a group of at least three to four Lyretail Anthias in your tank. Keep in mind that the more you add, the larger your tank will need to be.

What are the tank requirements for the Lyretail Anthias?

Lyretail Anthias fish may require some diligence when it comes to their care. However, it’s considerably easier to care for compared to other Anthias species.

 

These fish typically need plenty of space to roam, requiring a tank size of at least 70 gallons if you plan on having one. You can also use low-level lighting for your tank, but try to give your Lyretail Anthias plenty of shelter with overhangs and caves regardless of your lighting setup. 

Are Lyretail Anthias aggressive?

Lyretail Anthias are generally peaceful fish that won’t go after other tank mates unless provoked. Just make sure they have plenty of space to roam and seek shelter. 

What is the Lyretail Anthias lifespan?

Due to their non-aggressive nature in most environments, they’re not very long-lasting fish. You can hold onto your Lyretail Anthias for around five to six years in most cases.