Anthias (Lyretail) Care Guide: Tank Size, Diet, and Compatibility (2026)

Anthias (Lyretail) Overview

The Anthias (Lyretail) (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) is a rewarding species suited to aquarists with some experience, native to Indo-Pacific. As a saltwater carnivore, this species has earned its place as a staple in reef aquariums and FOWLR (fish-only with live rock) setups worldwide. The Anthias (Lyretail) is a peaceful species that generally coexists well with other non-aggressive fish. With proper care and appropriate water conditions, Anthias (Lyretail)s can live for several years and become a rewarding centerpiece — or supporting cast — of your aquarium.

According to FishBase's species profile, the Pseudanthias squamipinnis is widely distributed across Indo-Pacific and has been selectively bred in captivity for decades, resulting in a robust trade fish that typically adapts well to aquarium conditions. That said, replicating natural water parameters as closely as possible always produces the healthiest fish.

Tank Requirements

The Anthias (Lyretail) requires a 70-gallon tank as a minimum — larger is always better. Crowding this species into too-small quarters leads to stress, aggression, and disease — the most common cause of failure with this fish. Budget for a canister filter with adequate flow — target 4–6× tank volume per hour to keep the water clean and well-oxygenated.

• Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
• Temperature: 72-78°F (ideal: ~75°F)
• pH: 8.1-8.4 To maintain higher pH, use crushed coral substrate or aragonite sand. Regular water changes help stabilize pH.
• Filtration: A canister filter with adequate flow — target 4–6× tank volume per hour

Live rock provides essential biological filtration and hiding spaces in saltwater setups. Maintain salinity at 1.023–1.025 specific gravity and ensure adequate protein skimming. Once your tank is fully cycled, perform 20–30% water changes weekly to maintain stable parameters. Stability matters more than hitting exact numbers — sudden swings cause far more harm than gradual drift.

Diet & Feeding

In the wild, Anthias (Lyretail)s are predators that hunt live prey. In captivity, replicate this with high-protein foods. High-quality carnivore pellets, frozen bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and occasional live foods are all excellent choices for this species.

Feed once or twice daily, offering only what they can consume in 2–3 minutes. Remove uneaten food promptly. Variety is key — rotate between different protein sources to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

Compatibility & Tank Mates

The Anthias (Lyretail) has a peaceful temperament and does well in community aquariums with similarly sized, non-aggressive fish.

Good tank mate options from our database include Bangaii Cardinalfish, Bi-Color Blenny, and Blue Tang. Avoid housing Anthias (Lyretail)s with highly aggressive species or fish that compete for the same territory.

Common Health Issues

The Anthias (Lyretail) is susceptible to disease when conditions are suboptimal, but no aquarium fish is immune to illness. Prevention through clean water and a varied diet is always better than treatment. For detailed species-specific health notes, SeriouslyFish has an excellent care sheet for the Anthias (Lyretail).