(Perciformes, Serrani
Pseudanthias squamipinnis
(PETERS 1855)
dae, Anthiinae)
Common Names:
Goldie, sea goldie, jewel fairy basslet,
lyretail fairy basslet, lyretail anthias,
lyretail coralfish, orange basslet,
scalefin basslet, scalefin fairy basslet,
scalefin anthias, blue-eyed anthias,
orange butterfly perch, orange sea
perch, red coral perch, wreckfish
Type Locality:
Mozambique
Range: Widespread in the
Indo-West Pacific, Red Sea and
Natal, South Africa to Niue, north
to Japan, south to Australia
Mark Smith
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Serranus squamipinnis. Also known as Anthias squamipinnis, and the specific
name is often misspelled.
Size: 15 cm TL ( 6 inches) male, 7 cm TL ( 2. 75 inches) female.
Preferred Water Chemistry: Tropical marine.
Difficulty: While no anthias are recommended for beginners, this is probably the hardiest of the group. Reef safe, but
may eat small shrimps.
Tank Setup: Lots of live-rock nooks and crannies will supply needed cover, but this is an active fish and requires a
large aquarium, preferably 70 gallons or better. Needs a good current and high oxygenation. Can be nasty toward
small, docile fish.
Description: As is typical with fishes with broad ranges, there is some difference among populations, all basically
variations on the theme of gold and red, with an orange/blue stripe on the cheek. Males are purplish. The fins attract
as much attention as the colors, with the lunate caudal and full dorsal both more elaborate on the male, which also
has a greatly elongated third dorsal spine.
Feeding: A planktonivore that needs frequent small feedings, preferably of live foods. Can usually be trained to take
frozen foods and small pellets.
Breeding: This fish is a protogynous hermaphrodite, with the dominant female in a group becoming a male if the male
is lost. Males are territorial and keep harems.
This anthias is probably the best choice if you must have one. Be aware that all anthias need perfect water
conditions and very frequent feedings—on the reef they feed constantly on plankton. They fail rapidly
when not properly fed. Although often recommended to be kept in schools, single specimens often fare
better, especially in smaller systems. Under no circumstances should you house two males in the same
aquarium. If you purchase several females, one should eventually turn into a male.
