Lyretail Anthias
Pseudanthias squamipinnis
The pink and orange clouds that turn every Red Sea reef into a postcard. The signature fish of Egyptian diving.
- Size
- 6–15 cm
- Depth
- 5–40 m
- Sighting odds
- common
- IUCN status
- LC
About this species
If you've ever seen a photo of a Red Sea reef, you've seen anthias — the dense schools of small pink and orange fish that hover over coral heads in their thousands. Females are pink and orange; the larger, rarer males are deep red with elongated dorsal fin rays. They feed on plankton above the reef.
Fun facts
- All anthias start life female; the dominant fish in a group becomes male
- Schools can number in the tens of thousands
- Their colours come from carotenoid pigments in their plankton diet
Best sites for this species
Abu Ramada North
The gentler twin of Abu Ramada South — calmer current, shallower reef, ideal for newly-certified Open Water divers and underwater photographers.
Abu Ramada South
A spectacular drift along a vibrant fringing reef south of Giftun Island. Schooling barracuda, batfish, and the occasional eagle ray patrol the deeper edges while the shallow reef explodes with anthias.
Erg Abu Ramada
An iconic offshore pinnacle rising from 30 m to within 4 m of the surface. Three towers connected by saddles, festooned in soft coral and patrolled by big fish.
Gota Abu Ramada
Nicknamed 'The Aquarium' for good reason — the densest, most riotous fish life of any easy reef in the Hurghada area. The first dive every visiting photographer asks for.
Want to dive with lyretail anthias?
Tell us when you're coming and we'll plan a dive that maximises your chances.