Tank setup
A minimum 450L aquarium suits Lyretail Anthias. Provide hiding spots and stable water — this species thrives in a well-filtered community setup.
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Lyretail Anthias.
Community Marketplace
Fellow hobbyists may also be selling Lyretail Anthias.
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
Lyretail Anthias are a dazzling addition to any reef tank, known for their vibrant colors and active, shoaling behavior. Females are a bright, solid orange-yellow with a violet streak below the eye, while dominant males transform into a stunning deep fuchsia with an elongated dorsal fin and lyre-shaped tail. They require a large tank with ample swimming space and strong water flow. These are haremic fish; a group should consist of one male and several females. A fascinating fact is that all Lyretail Anthias are born female, and the most dominant female in a group will change into a male if the current male dies.
Key traits
peaceful
schooling
community
reef safe
medium
moderate
carnivore
shoaling
Compatibility
Select a tank to see how this species fits.
Care guide
Everything you need to keep Lyretail Anthias healthy in a South African setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 8.1–8.4 and 24–27°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers — acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Lyretail Anthias is carnivore. Feed a varied diet appropriate for saltwater fish — quality flakes, pellets, or frozen foods sized to the mouth.
Behaviour
Lyretail Anthias is generally peaceful. Keep in a group where possible for natural behaviour.
Tankmates
Pair with similarly sized peaceful tankmates in saltwater fish. Avoid fin-nippers or species that outgrow this fish.
Breeding
Breeding notes for Lyretail Anthias vary by line and water chemistry — ask your local shop about proven pairs in SA.
Keeping marine fish?
Marine chemistry moves daily — the foundation sets keep calcium, alkalinity and magnesium honest.
Availability confirmed with the distributor before dispatch · free delivery over r750
Community photos
From hobbyists across SA.
Photo by FishHubAdmin
Market intelligence
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
Price history — last 90 days
SA price range this month: R320–450 · Average: R363
This data is unique to FishHub
Demand by province
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Often kept with
Real pairwise verdicts for Lyretail Anthias, not a same-category guess. Always confirm adult size and your tank's specifics before buying.
- Often kept together
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In a 450L+ tank
- Often kept together
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Six-spot Goby
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In a 450L+ tank
- Often kept together
Fire Shrimp (Blood Red Shrimp)
Lysmata debelius
In a 450L+ tank
- Often kept together
Zoanthid Colony (various colors)
Zoanthus sp.
In a 450L+ tank
- Often kept together
Flame Angelfish
Centropyge loricula
In a 450L+ tank
- Often kept together
Six Line Wrasse
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
In a 450L+ tank
- Often kept together
Banded Boxing Shrimp
Stenopus hispidus
In a 450L+ tank