Conspicuous Angelfish, Chaetodontoplus conspicillatus (Waite, 1900)

Introduction

The Conspicuous Angelfish occurs from the southern Great Barrier Reef to the central New South Wales coast and from New Caledonia, Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. Adults are found on coral and rocky reefs, with Juveniles living in shallower water in protected harbours and bays.

Identification

The Conspicuous Angelfish can be recognised by its colouration. Adults are blue-grey dorsally grading to a dusky colour below. The face is yellow with blue on the operculum and around the eye. The dorsal and anal fins are dark at the base and pale along the outermost margins. The caudal and pectoral fins are yellow basally. Juveniles are black with a greenish-white dorsal fin.

The species has a large spine projecting horizontally from the corner of the preoperculum.

Habitat

It is found on coral and rocky reefs down to a depth of 40 m. Juveniles live in shallower water in protected harbours and bays.

Distribution

The Conspicuous Angelfish occurs from the southern Great Barrier Reef to the central New South Wales coast and from New Caledonia, Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Economic impacts

It is a highly prized species in the aquarium trade.

References

1. Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & M. Allen. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. Pp. 250.
2. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.