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Indian yellowtail angelfish (Apolemichthys xanthurus) — Pomacanthidae

Indian yellowtail angelfish

Apolemichthys xanthurus
Family: Pomacanthidae

The Indian yellowtail angelfish (Apolemichthys xanthurus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–25.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Indian yellowtail angelfish is a marine angelfish (Pomacanthidae) from the Indian Ocean, mainly around India and Sri Lanka. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a grey-white body with a fine network pattern of dark scale margins and a conspicuously yellow tail. As a reef-dweller it searches coral and rocky reefs for sponges, tunicates and algae. Like all angelfish it bears a sharp spine on the gill cover. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Indian yellowtail angelfish?

The Indian yellowtail angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Indian yellowtail angelfish live?

The Indian yellowtail angelfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Indian yellowtail angelfish get?

The Indian yellowtail angelfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Indian yellowtail angelfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Indian yellowtail angelfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Indian yellowtail angelfish edible?

Yes, the Indian yellowtail angelfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Indische geelstaart-keizersvis sourced
English name
Indian yellowtail angelfish sourced
Scientific name
Apolemichthys xanthurus
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Indian yellowtail angelfish; Yellowtail angelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Apolemichthys

More from the family Pomacanthidae

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