Anthias ID

[ThePurple12]

Got this anthias from an LFS. They only had one, but I'll be on the lookout for more for a shoal. There are two large yellow spots on each pectoral fin and a very long 1st dorsal spine is sometimes visible.

Sorry for the bad pics, but the anthias is camera shy. Does anyone know what species it is?

 

[Zionas]

Looks like a Lyretail to me.

 

[ThePurple12]

Looks like a Lyretail to me.

It does, but it doesn't have the blue stripe behind the eye.

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

The shape of the caudal tail is quite reminiscent of the Pacific form of the lyretail anthias. It looks possibly as if it is mid transition from female to.male, but that may just be the lights.

Is it possible to get another photo just to be sure?

 

[ThePurple12]

Sure, I'll try to get another picture

 

[ThePurple12]

Got 4! You can see the elongated dorsal spine (?) and two spots on each fin.

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

Thanks.

I believe it is a lyretail, but it is a rather odd colouration for one. It could be lighting or some nutrient deficiency causing the odd colours. Or some colour variant, but i am unsure. Maybe a huchti hybrid, but i have never heard of hybridisation in pseudanthias before.

Maybe @eatbreakfast has some insight

 

[ThePurple12]

Yeah, it's weird. I couldn't find anything that looks like it online.

 

[Pbh-reef]

I agree with lyretail unless it has an orange mark under the eye - then it may be a Hutchii anthias Transitioning to male - the pale color is what makes me think of hutchii buy I don’t see the make (which is much lighter in females)

 

[ThePurple12]

How long does the transition take? It probably is in transition, as it was alone in the LFS tank.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Looks like a huchtii or mortoni.

 

[blstravler]

It’s possible your LFS is running meds or copper in their system and that can cause the colors to become dull

 

[vetteguy53081]

yellow lyretail anthias

 

[ThePurple12]

I guess we'll see in a few days if it's transitioning.

 

[eatbreakfast]

It's transitioned already. Females don't have as dominant of a dorsal pennant.

 

[ThePurple12]

Ah.

Do they have different colors when not part of a group?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Social situations/interactions certainly help coloration, but so does a diet rich in astaxanthin.

 

[ThePurple12]

I think it's actually still transitioning, because I just noticed an orange cheek stripe.

 

[ThePurple12]

I think you guys are right that it's a Lyretail. It looks almost exactly like this one I found online