Banded angelfish

The banded angelfish (Apolemichthys arcuatus), also known as the bandit angelfish and three spine angelfish, is a distinctive species ray-finned fish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is endemic to deeper reefs in Hawaii and the Johnston Atoll.

Banded angelfish
Banded angelfish (Apolemichthys arcuatus )
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Pomacanthidae
Genus: Apolemichthys
Species:
A. arcuatus
Binomial name
Apolemichthys arcuatus
(Gray, 1831)
Synonyms[2]
  • Holacanthus arcuatus Gray, 1831
  • Desmoholacanthus arcuatus (Gray, 1831)

Description

The banded angelfish has an overall a pale white coloured body which is marked with a wide black band with a white upper margin that starts immediately above the mouth and runs to the posterior part of the dorsal fin. Another similar black white edged submarginal band runs along the caudal and anal fins. [3] The dorsal fin contains 13 spines and 17-18 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 18 soft rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 18 centimetres (7.1 in).[2]

Distribution

The banded angelfish is endemic to Hawaii and Johnston Atoll.[1]

Habitat and biology

The banded angelfish is a common species on rocky reefs, under overhangs and in caves, in areas of coral. It’s diet is dominated by sponges but they also consume algae, hydroids and the eggs of marine organisms.[2] They are found at depths of 10 to 183 metres (33 to 600 ft). Juveniles are found in deeper water.[1]

Systematics

The banded angelfish was first formally described as Holacanthus arcuatus in 1831 by the English naturalist John Edward Gray (1800-1875).[4] It’s specific name, arcuatus means “bowed” or “arched”, a reference to the “broad black arched band from the eye to the caudal end of the dorsal fin”.[5]

Utilisation

The banded angelfish is rare in the aquarium trade and when available it is a difficult species to maintain in captivity.[3]

References
  1. Pyle, R.; Myers, R. & Craig, M.T. (2010). "Apolemichthys arcuatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T165834A6144376. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T165834A6144376.en. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  2. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2019). "Apolemichthys arcuatus" in FishBase. December 2019 version.
  3. "Apolemichthys arcuatus". Saltcorner!. Bob Goemans. 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  4. Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Apolemichthys". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  5. Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (21 July 2020). "Order ACANTHURIFORMES (part 1): Families LOBOTIDAE, POMACANTHIDAE, DREPANEIDAE and CHAETODONTIDAE". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
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