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Ornate angelfish (Genicanthus bellus) — Pomacanthidae

Ornate angelfish

Genicanthus bellus
Family: Pomacanthidae

The Ornate angelfish (Genicanthus bellus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
24.0–110.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Ornate angelfish is a marine angelfish (Pomacanthidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 18 cm and has an elongate body with a deeply forked, swallowtail-shaped tail. Males have blue-white horizontal stripes, females a black band across the back. Unlike many angelfish it hovers in open water above steep reef slopes and eats mainly zooplankton. It changes sex; males and females are differently marked. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ornate angelfish?

The Ornate angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly white.

Where does the Ornate angelfish live?

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

How big does the Ornate angelfish get?

The Ornate angelfish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Ornate angelfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Ornate angelfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Ornate angelfish edible?

Yes, the Ornate angelfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sierlijke zwaluwstaart-keizervis sourced
English name
Ornate angelfish sourced
Scientific name
Genicanthus bellus
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Ornate angelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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 Genicanthus

More from the family Pomacanthidae

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