Genicanthus melanospilos

Genicanthus melanospilos, the Swallowtail Angelfish, is a species of marine angelfishes in the genus Genicanthus.

Genicanthus melanospilos
Genicanthus melanospilos
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Pomacanthidae
Genus:
Genicanthus
Species:
G. melanospilos
Binomial name
Genicanthus melanospilos
(Bleeker, 1857)
Synonyms
  • Holacanthus melanospilos Bleeker, 1857[2][3]

Description

Genicanthus melanospilos can reach a length of about 18 centimetres (7.1 in) in males. It is a typical angel fish with a short, laterally compressed body and a small mouth with tiny teeth. It is similar to Genicanthus caudovittatus. The caudal fin is lyre-shaped, with very long filaments in the adults. These fishes have a total of 15 spines, 15 to 17 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines and 17-18 anal soft rays. The male has a pattern of 15 black narrow vertical stripes, with a pale blue basic color of the body. The females have no streaks.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This widespread species can be found from the Indo-Malayan region to the southwestern Pacific Ocean and from the Ryukyu Islands to New Caledonia and Fiji. It prefers reef slopes with rich coral growth, at a depth of 20–80 metres (66–262 ft).[2][5][6]

References
  1. Pyle, R. & Myers, R. 2010. Genicanthus melanospilos. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T165843A6146629. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T165843A6146629.en. Downloaded on 20 December 2020.
  2. IUCN Red List
  3. WoRMS
  4. Fishbase
  5. Encyclopedia of Life
  6. IOBIS


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