Yellowtail Angelfish collected from Legendre Island in the Dampier Archipelago (Photo Credit: Mark Allen)

Yellowtail Angelfish

Chaetodontoplus personifer

A handsome fish, endemic to northern Australia. The distinctive colour pattern features a broad white bar that separates the mostly black body and fins from the bluish-grey head covered in yellow spots. The nape, breast and pelvic fins are yellow, as is the tail fin, which also features a black bar on some individuals.

Morphology

The steep forehead profile and ovate body give this species an almost rectangular shape overall. Like other angelfishes (Pomacanthidae), it has a sharp spine at the base of each gill cover (operculum). Reaches a maximum size of 35 cm.

Evolution

The closely related Chaetodontoplus meredithi found on the east coast of Australia is regarded as a "sister species". The genus Chaetodontoplus, which contains 15 currently recognised species is part of the Angelfish family (Pomacanthidae) which contains 89 species.

Behaviour

Usually solitary, but sometimes found in pairs or small groups. Feeds mostly on sponges and other sessile marine invertebrates.

Method of reproduction

Sexual

Habitat

Marine

Inhabits rocky areas, flat bottom sponge gardens and coral reefs at depths between 8 and 40 m.

Distribution

Endemic to north-western Australia where it occurs from the Houtman-Abrolhos Islands (WA) to western parts of the Gulf of Carpentaria (NT).

Life Cycle

Oviparous

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Pomacanthidae
Genus: Chaetodontoplus
Species: personifer
Name Published Year: 1914
Scientific Name Authorship: McCulloch
Commercial Impact: 

This species has minor commercial value as part of the aquarium fish trade.

Conservation Assessment: Least Concern

Net Conservation Benefits Fund

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Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/chaetodontoplus-personifer
Accessed 2 Sep 2023

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