Spotbreast angelfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spotbreast angelfish |
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| Genicanthus melanospilos | |
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The Genicanthus melanospilos, also known as the spotbreast angelfish or swallowtail angelfish, is a beautiful fish. It belongs to the angelfish family, called Pomacanthidae. You can find this colorful fish swimming in the warm waters of the Indo-West Pacific region.
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Meet the Spotbreast Angelfish
The spotbreast angelfish is special because males and females look very different. This is called sexual dichromatism.
Male Angelfish
Male angelfish have a bluish-white body. They are covered with many reddish-black stripes that go up and down. Their top (dorsal), tail (caudal), and bottom (anal) fins have yellow spots. The tail fin is light yellow with blue edges. It also has long, flowing parts, like ribbons. A big black spot can be seen on their chest, near their bottom fins. This spot gives them their "spotbreast" name!
Female Angelfish
Female angelfish have a yellow top half of their body. Their bottom half is bluish-white. Their tail is bluish with a black stripe along its top and bottom edges.
Both Male and Female
Both male and female angelfish have a unique tail. It looks like a "swallow tail" because it narrows at its base and then forks out. The top fin has 15 strong spines and 15 to 17 soft rays. The bottom fin has 3 spines and 17 to 18 soft rays. These fish can grow up to about 18 centimeters (7 inches) long.
Where Do They Live?
The spotbreast angelfish lives in a large area of the ocean. You can find them in the eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. They swim all around the Malay Archipelago. They are found as far east as Fiji and as far north as the Ryukyu Islands in Japan. They also live south near Australia. In Australia, they are seen around the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island. They also live in the Timor Sea near Ashmore Reef. You can even spot them on the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns, Queensland.
Their Home and Habits
Spotbreast angelfish like to live in deeper waters. They are usually found between 20 and 80 meters (65 to 260 feet) deep. They prefer areas with lots of coral on the outer edges of reefs. They also like places where the reef drops off steeply into the deep ocean.
Family Life
Adult angelfish often live in small groups called harems. A harem usually has one male and several females. They swim together and are very social.
What They Eat
These angelfish are not picky eaters. They feed on tiny creatures called zooplankton. Zooplankton float in the water above the coral reefs.
How They Change
Like many other angelfish, the spotbreast angelfish can change its sex. This is called being a protogynous hermaphrodite. It means all young angelfish start out as females. When a female becomes the strongest or most dominant in her group, she can change into a male. This is a very cool trick of nature!
Spotbreast Angelfish in Aquariums
The spotbreast angelfish is a popular choice for home aquariums. People enjoy their beautiful colors and interesting behavior. They are often seen in fish stores around the world.
