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Pitcairn angelfish (Genicanthus spinus) — Pomacanthidae

Pitcairn angelfish

Genicanthus spinus
Family: Pomacanthidae

The Pitcairn angelfish (Genicanthus spinus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
40.0–100.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Pitcairn angelfish is an angelfish (Pomacanthidae) from deeper reef water of the southern Pacific, around remote islands such as Pitcairn. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate, silver-grey body with a deeply forked, swallowtail-like tail; males and females differ in pattern. Unlike most angelfish it is a plankton feeder that hovers in open water above the reef and snaps at small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pitcairn angelfish?

The Pitcairn angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Pitcairn angelfish live?

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

How big does the Pitcairn angelfish get?

The Pitcairn angelfish grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Pitcairn angelfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Pitcairn angelfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pitcairn-zwaluwstaart-keizersvis sourced
English name
Pitcairn angelfish sourced
Scientific name
Genicanthus spinus
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Pitcairn angelfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

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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