Common name: Blackedged angelfish
General information
Watanabe's Angelfish, scientifically known as Genicanthus watanabei, is a species of marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. This species is known for its striking sexual dimorphism, where males and females exhibit different color patterns. Males typically have a blue body with a yellow stripe running from the eye to the base of the tail fin, while females are predominantly grey with a series of vertical white bars.
These angelfish are found in the Western Pacific, from the Philippines and Taiwan to the Great Barrier Reef. They inhabit outer reef slopes and drop-offs, usually in depths ranging from 10 to 70 meters.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 300 liter (79 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.023 to 1.026
- Temperature
- 22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8 to 8.4
- Average size
- 25 cm (10″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Prefers stable conditions
- Diet
- Planktivore Enjoys mysis and brine shrimp
- Social
- Pair Pairs are often monogamous
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Peaceful
- Captive bred
- Yes Some success in captivity
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyAngelfishesPomacanthidae
- GenusSwallowtail AngelfishGenicanthus
- SpeciesBlackedged angelfishGenicanthus watanabei (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1970)
- SynonymsGenicanthus vermiculatus Shen & Lim, 1975Holacanthus watanabei Yasuda & Tominaga, 1970
Care
Watanabe's Angelfish are considered moderate to care for in the home aquarium. They require a larger tank with plenty of swimming space and live rock for grazing. A mature, stable aquarium with well-established live rock is essential, as it provides both a source of natural food and hiding places.
Their diet should include a variety of foods such as marine algae, spirulina, mysis shrimp, and other meaty foods, along with high-quality angelfish preparations containing sponges.
Reproduction
In the wild, Watanabe's Angelfish form harems consisting of a single male and several females. They are broadcast spawners, releasing eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization occurs. The larvae are planktonic and will settle onto the reef after several weeks.
Breeding in captivity is challenging and not commonly achieved, but maintaining a group with one male and multiple females may increase the chances of observing natural spawning behavior.
Habitat
Watanabe's Angelfish are typically found on steep outer reef slopes and drop-offs, where they swim in pairs or small groups. They are pelagic spawners, which means they release their eggs into the open water where they become part of the plankton.
Their natural range extends across the Western Pacific, with sightings reported from the Philippines, Taiwan, and as far south as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.