Squareback Anthias Female (Pseudanthias Squamipinnis)

Also Known As: Squareback Anthias Female, Orange Anthias

Compatibility and Behavior
The female Squareback Anthias (Pseudanthias pleurotaenia) brings constant motion and a warm wash of color to the reef. Where the males are bold and boldly marked, the females are softer and more understated, typically showing a glowing orange to peach body with subtle pink and yellow highlights, a lighter underside, and translucent fins brushed with hints of yellow or lavender. The streamlined, torpedo-shaped body and forked tail let them glide easily through the water column, where they often school loosely with other anthias just off the reef structure. In a reef setting, females are generally considered reef safe. They focus on zooplankton drifting in the water column and tend to leave corals and clams alone. Like other anthias, they're social and do best in harems with one male overseeing a group of females. If no dominant male is present, the largest female may eventually transition into one over time. They're usually peaceful with other community fish, though they can get stressed or outcompeted by pushy tankmates, so the best pairings are peaceful to moderately assertive species that can share the midwater zone without constant chasing.

Aquarium Requirements
Females thrive in large, mature reefs with strong, well-oxygenated flow and plenty of open swimming space. These are active midwater fish with high metabolisms, so a tank of at least 90 to 100 gallons is the right starting point for a small group, with larger volumes preferred when a male is part of the mix. Aquascape with open areas for schooling alongside rock ledges and caves where the group can retreat when startled and tuck in at night. Robust filtration and stable water quality matter a lot here, since anthias do best with multiple small daily feedings of fine, meaty foods, and that frequency can add up on the nutrient side if filtration isn't dialed in. One thing worth knowing: in many cases, Anthias only eat food out of the water column, and once it has fallen to the tank floor they are no longer interested. That makes flow patterns and feeding technique just as important as the food itself.

Specifications
Approximate Size: 2.5-4"
Diet: Carnivore/zooplanktivore (finely chopped seafood, mysis, enriched brine, high-quality micro pellets. Multiple feedings per day)
Origin: Western and Central Pacific 
Care Level: Moderate (best for intermediate to advanced reef aquarists)
Reef Safe: Yes (generally safe with corals and clams)
Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive; best kept in harems with one male and multiple females
Minimum Tank Size: at least 90–100 gallons for a small group
Special Considerations: Best kept as part of a group; largest female may transition into a male if no dominant male is present; requires multiple small daily feedings