Pacific Lyretail Anthias

Pacific Lyretail Anthias are active midwater feeders with different male and female colour patterns. Social position can affect both appearance and behaviour, so selecting a group requires more thought than ordering several fish with matching colours.

Provide swimming room above the reef, several retreats and strong oxygenation. Groups need substantially more space than a single individual, and multiple males can create conflict. Anthias can change sex as their social hierarchy changes.

Plan frequent small meals of fine marine foods throughout the day. Frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp and suitable prepared foods can form a varied menu once accepted. A refugium may contribute live prey, but it does not remove the need to check that each anthias is receiving enough food.