Genicanthus watanabei
Genicanthus watanabei (blackedged angelfish or Watanabe's angelfish), is a species of marine angelfish.
| Blackedged angelfish | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | G. watanabei |
| Binomial name | |
| Genicanthus watanabei (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1970) | |
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Holacanthus watanabei Yasuda & Tominaga, 1970 | |
Distribution: West-central Pacific: Taiwan to the Tuamotu Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia and the Austral Islands; Marianas and Marshalls in Micronesia.
Blackedged angelfish are found in pairs or in harems of up to five individuals.
Max. size: 15 cm Environment:reef-associated; non-migratory; marine; depth range 21 – 81 m Climate:tropical; 30°N – 28°S
This species was named by two Japanese researchers (Yasuda F. and Tominaga Y.) in 1970 in honour of one of the most eminent Japanese ichthyologists of the last two centuries.
In the aquarium
The blackedged angelfish belongs to the genus Genicanthus, the so-called swallowtail angelfish. Swallowtails are distinct from most other angelfish genera in that they have distinct male and female colour morphs so even though the species is the same you can keep two sometimes markedly different-looking individuals in the same aquarium. They are active swimmers and should be given adequate room particularly if a pair or more is to be kept. This busy lifestyle means that the blackedged angelfish requires regular feeding in order for them to keep in good health.