Vermiculated Angelfish, Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus (Bloch, 1787)

ANIMAL SPECIES:Vermiculated Angelfish, Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus (Bloch, 1787)

The Vermiculated Angelfish's body is white behind the eye, gradually changing to dark grey posteriorly. The snout is yellow and a broad black band passes through the eye. The caudal fin is grey-blue or yellow.

Identification

Size range

The species grows to 18 cm in length.

Distribution

Vermiculated Angelfish occurs in tropical marine waters of the Western Pacific, from South-east Asia, north to Japan, south to Australia and east to the Solomon Islands.

In Australia it is known from the Kimberley region on the northern coast of Western Australia and along the Northern Territory coast.

Habitat

The species inhabits inner coral reefs and lagoons at depths from 1 m to 20 m.

Behaviour and adaptations

Feeding and Diet

The Vermiculated Angelfish feeds on sponges, sea squirts, salps and algae.

Other behaviours and adaptations

This fish is often seen in pairs or as solitary individuals.

Classification

Species:: mesoleucus
Genus:: Chaetodontoplus
Family:: Pomacanthidae
Class:: Actinopterygii
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 220.
Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & M. Allen. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. Pp. 250.
Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.

Last Updated: 19 May 2009

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