Pseudanthias squamipinnis (Peters, 1855)
Common names : Orange Basslet, Sea goldie, Lyretail Anthias
- Pseudanthias squamipinnis - Male
Pseudanthias squamipinnis, also known as the Lyretail Anthias, is a species of marine fish that belongs to the Serranidae family. It is a small, brightly colored fish that typically grows up to about 3 inches (7.5 cm) in length.
Pseudanthias squamipinnis have a distinctive dark orange marking on their heads that extends from above their eyes to the upper part of their gill plates and pectoral fins. This marking is not present in females, making it a useful characteristic for distinguishing between the two sexes.
Addition to the distinctive dark orange marking on the male Pseudanthias squamipinnis, they also have vibrant purple coloration on the upper end of their pectoral fins, while both pelvic fins are typically blue, dark orange, or red in color.
The scales on the midsection of their body are yellow, while towards the tail, the scales are a mix of orange and red. The anal fins typically have yellow dots, while the main dorsal fin has a large, pointed shape. It is worth noting that while these color patterns may differ slightly depending on the location and environment where the fish is found.