Teleostei (teleosts) >
Acanthuriformes (Surgeonfishes) >
Pomacanthidae (Angelfishes)
Etymology: Genicanthus: Greek, geny, -yos = face, jaw + Greek, akantha = thorn (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Günther.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 2 - 70 m (Ref. 9710). Tropical
Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea south to Natal, South Africa (Ref. 11228), including Maldives, Madagascar, Reunion, and Mauritius (Ref. 33390).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 20.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4858)
Inhabits shallow waters in the Red Sea; deeper in the Andaman Sea, usually at depths of 40 m or more. Caudal fin tips very long (Ref. 48636). A single male is usually seen with several females, commonly on steep slopes. Feeds on planktonic food several meters above the bottom.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Allen, G.R., 1985. Butterfly and angelfishes of the world. Vol. 2. 3rd edit. in English. Mergus Publishers, Melle, Germany. (Ref. 4858)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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