Teleostei (teleosts) >
Acanthuriformes (Surgeonfishes) >
Pomacanthidae (Angelfishes)
Etymology: Genicanthus: Greek, geny, -yos = face, jaw + Greek, akantha = thorn (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Dr Masao Watanabe was a Japanese ichthyologist at the University of Tokyo. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 21 - 81 m (Ref. 9710). Tropical; 30°N - 28°S
Pacific Ocean: Taiwan to the Tuamoto Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia and the Austral Islands.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 15.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9710)
Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 14 - 17. Males light blue with 8 black stripes on the lower 2/3 of the body (the posterior end of the uppermost yellow, the lowermost stripes extending the adjacent anal fin); females light blue with a vertical black bar above the eye and spots on the forehead; both sexes with a broad submarginal band on the dorsal and anal fins; females with broad submarginal band on the caudal-fin lobes.
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
Occurs in current-swept outer reef slopes and drop-offs (Ref. 4859). Feeds on plankton. Forms harems of 2-5 individuals. Occasionally exported through the aquarium trade (Ref. 48391).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Steene, R.C., 1978. Butterfly and angelfishes of the world. A.H. & A.W. Reed Pty Ltd., Australia. vol. 1. 144 p. (Ref. 4859)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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