Griffis angelfish facts for kids
The Griffis angelfish (scientific name: Apolemichthys griffisi) is a beautiful ray-finned fish. It's a type of marine angelfish that belongs to the Pomacanthidae family. You can find this fish in the Pacific Ocean. It's quite rare to see this angelfish in home aquariums.
Quick facts for kids Griffis angelfish |
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Holacanthus griffisi Carlson & Taylor, 1981 |
Contents
What Does the Griffis Angelfish Look Like?
The Griffis angelfish has a body that is mostly greyish-white or ash-colored. It has a wide black stripe that goes from its head all the way to its tail base. Inside this black stripe, there's a bright white band that stands out.
You'll also notice a big black spot on its head, right above its eye. Its dorsal fin (the one on its back) is mostly black. The anal fin (on its belly) and pelvic fins (near its chest) are white.
Young Griffis angelfish look a bit different. They don't have the white stripe inside the black band. This fish can grow up to about 30 centimeters (12 inches) long.
Where Does the Griffis Angelfish Live?
The Griffis angelfish lives in a large area of the Pacific Ocean. You can find it from Southeast Asia all the way east to the Line Islands. It has been seen for sure in places like Kiribati. It might also live near some US Islands.
This fish is known to live in countries such as Indonesia, Kiribati, Nauru, the Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea.
Home and Habits of the Griffis Angelfish
The Griffis angelfish prefers to live on the outer parts of coral reefs. It likes rocky ledges and steep drop-offs in the ocean. You can usually find them swimming alone, in pairs, or sometimes in small groups.
They live in water that is between 10 to 100 meters (about 33 to 330 feet) deep. These angelfish eat small creatures that live on the ocean floor. Their diet includes things like sponges, tunicates (sea squirts), and crustaceans (like crabs and shrimp).
How the Griffis Angelfish Got Its Name
The Griffis angelfish was first officially described in 1981. It was named Holacanthus griffisi back then. The scientists who described it were Bruce Carlson and Leighton R. Taylor. They found the first one near Canton Island in the South Pacific.
The fish was named after Nixon Griffis. He was a conservationist who helped protect animals. He supported the trip where this angelfish was discovered.
Griffis Angelfish in Aquariums
The Griffis angelfish is quite rare in the aquarium trade. This means you don't often see it for sale in pet stores. Most of the ones that are sold come from Kiritimati in Kiribati. Because they are so rare, they are known to be one of the most expensive fish you can buy for an aquarium.
Sources
- Helmut Debelius, Rudie H. Kuiter, World Atlas of Marine Fishes, Hollywood Import & Export, Inc., 2006
- Mark Allen, Roger Steene, Gerald R. Allen, A Guide to Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes, Odyssey Publishing. 1998
- Setup Brough, Clarice. Griffis Angelfish Animal-World. Online. Clarice Brough
