Sea Goldie, scientifically known as Pseudanthias squamipinnis, is a colorful marine fish.
It belongs to the Anthiinae subfamily within the Serranidae family, which includes groupers and sea basses.
Sea Goldie is also known by several names like Lyretail Anthias, Orange Basslet, Lyretail Coralfish, Onestripe Goldie, Lyretail Fairy Basslet, Orange Fairy Basslet, Orange Seaperch, Scalefin Basslet, Scalefin Fairy Basslet, and Scalefin Anthias.
This fish can be found in the Indo-Pacific region and is often seen in aquariums.
Adult sea goldies live around coral formations or reefs in clear lagoons, channels, or outer reef slopes.
They tend to gather in large groups and eat tiny organisms called zooplankton.
Males are territorial and have a group of females they mate with (haremic).
The variation in color patterns and size during gender change may differ depending on location.
These fish are safe for coral reefs.
Sea Goldie Interesting Facts
- Sea goldie is a colorful marine fish found in the Indo-Pacific region and often seen in aquariums.
- These fish live around coral formations or reefs and eat tiny organisms called zooplankton.
- They can change gender from female to male.
- Their color patterns and size vary depending on location, with males growing up to 15 cm long and females reaching about 7 cm.
Sea Goldie Habitat
Sea goldie is found in the Indo-West Pacific region, from the Red Sea and South Africa to Japan and Australia.
This fish is typically found in coral reefs at depths between 5 to 35 meters (up to 55 meters), preferring water temperatures of 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C).
Its range spans from 35°N to 36°S latitude and 24°E to 169°W longitude.
| Water Temperature: | 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C) |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Sea Goldie Physical Characteristics
Size: 5.9 inches (15.0 centimeters)
Male sea goldie can grow up to 15 cm (5.9 in) long, while females reach about 7 cm (2.8 inches).
This fish has 10 dorsal spines, 15 to 17 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines, and 6 to 7 anal soft rays.
Its color patterns vary depending on its location. Females have a violet-edged orange stripe behind their eyes.
Males don’t have a fleshy bump on their upper lip’s front part. The third dorsal spine is longer in females and even more elongated in males.
They also have a crescent-shaped tail fin.
Sea Goldie Reproduction
Sea goldie is a pelagic spawner and has only one male in its social group.
If a male is removed from the group, females can change their gender to fill the role.
The gender reversal takes 2 to 4 weeks after removing a male or 170 to 280 days in an all-female group.
Sea goldie fish can change gender when it reaches about 5 cm long. Successful males mate every night with different females.
Sea Goldie Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Serranidae |
| Genus: | Pseudanthias |
| Scientific Name: | Pseudanthias squamipinnis |
| Also Known As: | Sea Goldie, Lyretail Anthias, Orange Basslet, Lyretail Coralfish, Onestripe Goldie, Lyretail Fairy Basslet, Orange Fairy Basslet, Orange Seaperch, Scalefin Basslet, Scalefin Fairy Basslet, Scalefin Anthias |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |