Scientific Name:

The scientific name of the sea goldie is Pseudanthias squamipinnis. It is also commonly referred to as the lyretail anthias or scalefin anthias.

Physical Description:

The sea goldie is a small, vibrant fish known for its striking coloration and sexual dimorphism. Males and females display different color patterns. Males are typically bright orange to reddish-orange with elongated, lyre-shaped tails, and a purple or blue hue on their dorsal fin margins. They may also have distinct red or magenta spots on their scales. Females and juveniles are generally bright orange with a more rounded tail and lack the pronounced fin extensions seen in males. The sea goldie grows to an average length of 7-15 centimeters (approximately 3-6 inches), with males being larger than females.

Habitat:

The sea goldie is commonly found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, East Africa, and the western Pacific Ocean. It inhabits coral reefs, typically at depths ranging from 3 to 60 meters (approximately 10 to 200 feet). Sea goldies prefer outer reef slopes, reef crests, and areas with strong currents where plankton is abundant. They are often seen in large schools, hovering above the reef during the day.

Three Interesting Facts:

1. Social Structure and Hierarchy: Sea goldies exhibit a fascinating social structure based on a strict hierarchy. They live in harems consisting of one dominant male and multiple females. If the dominant male dies, the largest female undergoes a sex change and becomes the new male. This protogynous hermaphroditism ensures the stability and continuity of the harem.

2. Feeding Behavior: Sea goldies primarily feed on zooplankton, which they capture by swimming in the water column above the reef. They are diurnal feeders, meaning they are most active during the day. Their schooling behavior helps them efficiently exploit plankton-rich currents while also providing safety in numbers from predators.

3. Reproductive Strategy: Sea goldies engage in daily spawning rituals, often timed with twilight. During these rituals, the dominant male displays vibrant colors and performs courtship dances to attract females. Spawning involves the release of eggs and sperm into the water column, where fertilization occurs. The fertilized eggs then drift with the currents until they hatch into larvae.