Vermiculated Angelfish, Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus (Bloch, 1787)

Introduction

The Vermiculated Angelfish's body is white behind the eye, gradually changing to dark grey posteriorly. The snout is yellow and a broad black band passes through the eye. The caudal fin is grey-blue or yellow.

Identification

The Vermiculated Angelfish's body is white behind the eye, gradually changing to dark grey posteriorly. The snout is yellow and a broad black band passes through the eye. The caudal fin is grey-blue or yellow.

Habitat

The species inhabits inner coral reefs and lagoons at depths from 1 m to 20 m.

Distribution

Vermiculated Angelfish occurs in tropical marine waters of the Western Pacific, from South-east Asia, north to Japan, south to Australia and east to the Solomon Islands.

In Australia it is known from the Kimberley region on the northern coast of Western Australia and along the Northern Territory coast.

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.

Feeding and diet

The Vermiculated Angelfish feeds on sponges, sea squirts, salps and algae.

Other behaviours and adaptations

This fish is often seen in pairs or as solitary individuals.

References

• Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 220.
• Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & M. Allen. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. Pp. 250.
• Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.