Fin's Fish Guide
The Sea goldie (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 15 cm.
Description
The sea goldie is a small, colourful reef basslet from the Indo-West Pacific, ranging from the Red Sea and South Africa to Japan and Australia. Females grow to about 7 cm and are orange; males reach 15 cm and are pinkish-purple with an elongated dorsal ray. It forms large schools above coral heads and patch reefs, where it picks zooplankton from the current. The species is a protogynous hermaphrodite living in harems: if the dominant male is lost, the strongest female changes into a male. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Sea goldie?
The Sea goldie has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Forms large plankton-eating shoals; protogynous hermaphrodite living in harems
Where does the Sea goldie live?
The Sea goldie lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific
How big does the Sea goldie get?
The Sea goldie grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.
Is the Sea goldie dangerous to humans?
No, the Sea goldie is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.
Is the Sea goldie edible?
The Sea goldie is not usually eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Pseudanthias
More from the family Serranidae
Want the complete picture on the Sea goldie?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Sea goldie is one of 12,519 species in the app.