Lyretail Anthias
Pseudanthias squamipinnis
Sighting evidence at Keiten Maru, Rabaul
Photo: Frank Krasovec · CC BY-NC
Enormous schools of lyretail anthias envelop the Keiten Maru's superstructure in a perpetual orange-and-pink cloud, feeding on zooplankton carried through the harbour on tidal currents. These haremic fish maintain strict social hierarchies, with dominant males patrolling the perimeter while females school more densely around the protected stern. Their abundance on this wreck is an indicator of clean, plankton-rich water and the shelter the hull provides from stronger open-harbour currents.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Lyretail Anthias is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.