Males are white to bluish-gray, rimmed with orange on the tail and around the eyes, with a black bar on the tail.
#HAWAIIAN REEF FISH TOAU PATCH#
Masked Angelfish ( Genicanthus personatus)įemale masked angelfish are white, with a black patch on the forehead and over the eye region and above the eyes. Flame angelfish eat filamentous algae, and are often seen repeatedly within a relatively small area. Relatively rare in Hawaiian waters, flame angelfish are sometimes seen in shallow waters, but are seen more commonly below 60 feet (18 m) deep among finger coral. A slightly brighter red color between the black bars distinguishes the Hawaiian flame angelfish from other flame angelfish. The flame angelfish is the most visually striking of the angelfish (along with the bandit angelfish). The flame angelfish also has blue lining its rear fins, and this blue lining is more prominent in males. Fisher, a zoologist from California who was involved in research in the Hawaiian Islands in the early 1900s.īright (flame) red in color, the flame angelfish has dark black bars running vertically down its body. The fisher’s angelfish is often seen in groups of five to ten fish around finger coral at depths of 30 to 80 feet (9 to 24 m) and deeper, feeding on filamentous algae.Įndemic to the Hawaiian Islands, the species is named after Walter K. The tail and pectoral fins are yellowish. An iridescent blue color rims the anal, dorsal and pelvic fins. The fisher’s angelfish is orange-brown in color with a bluish-brown sheen and a yellowish tail. The bandit angelfish is sometimes scientifically classified in the genus Apolemichthys, or Desmoholacanthus, rather than Holacanthus. An endemic Hawaiian species, the bandit angelfish is seen most frequently at depths of about 80 to 100 feet (24 to 30 m) around most of the Hawaiian Islands, and is particularly common on Kaua‘i where it may be seen by snorkelers. The color pattern of the bandit angelfish is unique among the angelfish.įeeding on sponges, the bandit angelfish sometimes swims out in the open and often alone, and is a relatively curious fish around humans. The tail and anal fin also are banded with black. The black band also covers the eye region, giving the appearance of a robber’s (bandit’s) mask. These new technologies also may be used in developing an industry in the Hawaiian Islands raising ornamental reef fish for export.īandit Angelfish ( Desmoholacanthus arcuatus)Ī broad black band runs horizontally for the length of the bandit angelfish’s gray and white body (gray above the band and white to pale gray below). These new scientific techniques for raising Hawaiian reef fish were developed by researchers at the Oceanic Institute, the Waikīkī Aquarium, and the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, and have the potential to ease the pressure on precious and dwindling native fish populations. Recent breakthroughs in raising these desirable reef fish in captivity have used a newly developed zooplankton food source for the small fish larvae allowing researchers to raise several species for the first time, including masked angelfish ( Genicanthus personatus), Fisher’s angelfish ( Centropyge fisheri), and flame angelfish ( Centropyge loriculus). The aquarium trade accounts for the capture of more than 400,000 Hawaiian reef fish each year, and has severely depleted the populations of many species. Two other angelfish species also might be seen in Hawaiian waters: the Japanese pygmy angelfish ( Centropyge interruptus), which is native to the Hawaiian Islands but found only in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and the extremely rare emperor angelfish ( Pomacanthus imperator), with just a few sightings ever (and thus not currently considered a native breeding population). Four of these five native Hawaiian angelfish species are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (found around the Hawaiian Islands and nowhere else). Of the 80 known species of angelfish worldwide, five are native to the main Hawaiian Islands. A favorite sight for many snorkelers and divers, angelfish are also commonly sought after for use in aquariums. The rear-pointing spine on the gill cover of angelfishes is the main trait distinguishing them from butterflyfishes.Īngelfishes also have what is known as a haremic social system in which a single male defends two to five female fish. Angelfishes are territorial fish that use their brush-like teeth to eat algae and sponges.
0 kommentar(er)
