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Spotbreast angelfish (Genicanthus melanospilos) — Pomacanthidae

Spotbreast angelfish

Genicanthus melanospilos
Family: Pomacanthidae

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

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–45.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Guam and others

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Description

The Spotbreast 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 yellow crossbars and a black breast spot, females black tail margins. 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 Spotbreast angelfish?

The Spotbreast angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Spotbreast angelfish live?

The Spotbreast angelfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Guam and others

How big does the Spotbreast angelfish get?

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

Is the Spotbreast angelfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotbreast angelfish 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.

More photos

Spotbreast angelfish (Genicanthus melanospilos) — Pomacanthidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) craigjhowe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Spotbreast angelfish (Genicanthus melanospilos) — Pomacanthidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Debra Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Spotbreast angelfish (Genicanthus melanospilos) — Pomacanthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Debra Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Spotbreast angelfish (Genicanthus melanospilos) — Pomacanthidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Spotbreast angelfish sourced
Scientific name
Genicanthus melanospilos
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Blackspot angelfish; Black-spot angelfish; Spotbreast angelfish; Swallowtail angelfish; Blackspot verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
45.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Guam and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

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 verified
First aid
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. 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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