Lyretail Anthias
Pseudanthias squamipinnis
Lyretail Anthias is a small, brightly colored reef fish common on steep outer reef slopes and drop-offs. Males show a long, lyre-shaped tail and often defend harems; the species is more often admired than targeted by anglers.
Identification points
- Male has a very long upper and lower tail lobe forming a lyre shape
- Bright orange-red to pink body with a purple or magenta dorsal area
- Small anthias shape with a deeply forked tail and yellowish fins in females/juveniles
Habitat
Warm tropical coral reefs, especially outer reef slopes, drop-offs, and current-swept reef edges; usually schools above hard coral and rocky relief from shallow water to about 50 m.
Bait notes
Not a standard game species. If collected for aquarium use, it may take small zooplankton-sized foods; anglers rarely target it with bait or lures.
Behavior
Diurnal planktivore that feeds in the water column on zooplankton; forms large groups, with dominant males keeping territories and spawning with haremic groups, often rising into the current to feed.
Caution
Do not handle roughly; reef collection may be regulated or prohibited locally. Avoid contact with coral to prevent injury and reef damage; consumption is not typical and local rules should be checked.
Fishing notes
Best observed or photographed rather than fished for. Where collection is legal, tiny pieces of shrimp, mysis, or plankton-feeding setups may attract it, but capture is uncommon and not recommended on coral reefs.