All fish / Serranidae (Anthiadinae)

Harlequin Goldie

Pseudanthias connelli

Also known as harlequin goldie, connell's anthias, harlequin anthias, connelli anthias, pseudanthias, anthias connelli

Males are among the most boldly patterned anthias, with an orange to yellow body crossed by bright magenta and violet markings and long lyre tail lobes, while females are plainer orange. Almost found only off South Africa, it is rarely traded and is sought by advanced reef keepers because it is so rare and striking.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

20 to 25 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

One male with several females, or a single fish

Diet

Carnivore: frequent small meals of mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods and fine frozen plankton foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Southwest Indian Ocean: South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal) and southern Mozambique

Breeding

It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, so females can turn into males, and it spawns in open water with floating eggs. It has not been reliably bred or reared in home aquariums.

Good to know

Comes from fairly deep, cooler reefs, so it needs stable, slightly cooler water and several feeds a day. Males can be quarrelsome with other anthias, and it is expensive and rarely available.