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Blackstriped angelfish (Genicanthus lamarck) — Pomacanthidae

Blackstriped angelfish

Genicanthus lamarck
Family: Pomacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blackstriped angelfish (Genicanthus lamarck) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; reef crests and steep reef slopes.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Lamarck's angelfish is an angelfish (Pomacanthidae) from the western Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery-white body with black lengthwise stripes and a sickle-shaped tail with elongate lobes. Unlike many angelfishes it feeds mainly on zooplankton, which it catches high above the reef from the current. It lives on shallow reef crests and deep reefs along steep slopes and forms aggregations. It is protogynous: females can change into males. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackstriped angelfish?

The Blackstriped angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Plankton-eating angelfish (unusual) with a sickle tail; protogynous, forms aggregations above the reef.

Where does the Blackstriped angelfish live?

The Blackstriped angelfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific; reef crests and steep reef slopes.

How big does the Blackstriped angelfish get?

The Blackstriped angelfish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Blackstriped angelfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackstriped angelfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackstriped angelfish edible?

The Blackstriped angelfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Blackstriped angelfish (Genicanthus lamarck) — Pomacanthidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Francois Libert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackstriped angelfish (Genicanthus lamarck) — Pomacanthidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackstriped angelfish (Genicanthus lamarck) — Pomacanthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Carmelo López Abad, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackstriped angelfish (Genicanthus lamarck) — Pomacanthidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Nico K. Michiels, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Blackstriped angelfish verified
Scientific name
Genicanthus lamarck
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Blackstriped angelfish; Freckletail lyretail angelfish; Lamarck's angelfish; Lamark's angelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific; reef crests and steep reef slopes. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly zooplankton from the current sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Plankton-eating angelfish (unusual) with a sickle tail; protogynous, forms aggregations above the reef. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Genicanthus

More from the family Pomacanthidae

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