The Breeder’s Registry© Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations from aquarist unless noted otherwise (see comments). Information may be reproduced providing the Breeder’s Registry is cited.

Breeder ID: GENMEL-082196-BROSTA-002

Date received: 8/21/96

Identification: Genicanthus melanospilus (Bleeker, 1857 ? )

Geographic origin: Indo-Pacific

Taxonomy: (after I.C.Z.N.)

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata

Class Osteichthyes Subclass Actinopterygii Infraclass Teleostei

Superorder Acanthopterygii Order Perciformes Suborder Percoidei

Family Chaetodontidae

Genus Genicanthus

Species melanospilos ( Bleeker, 1857 ?)

Description: The genus Genicanthus includes 9 species G. bellus, G.caudovittatus, G. lamarck, G. melanospilos, G. personatus, G. semicinctus, G. semifasciatus, G. spinus, and G. watanabei. All references indicate deeper water habitats. Considered by some to be a “mid-sized” angelfish.
Sexual dimorphism is exhibited in this genus, being rather distinct, but to a lesser degree with G. lamarck. Size is listed as ranging from 10 to 24 cm for the genus, with G. melanospilos listed as one of the larger species at 21 cm.  

Duration male(yr): 1.2

Size male (mm): 127

Duration female (yr): 1.2

Size female (mm): 102

Broodstock notes: Two females and one male originally purchased over two week period. Male and one female both 90 mm. No aggression by male, Smaller female ~75 mm added two weeks later. Male initially displayed in front of new female but showed no other interest. Male and
smaller female became aggressive towards larger female which was later removed and returned to retailer.

Physical differences: Sexually dimorphic. Male has dark blue/black vertical stripes on silver body, single dark spot under gills, caudal fin lacking pigmentation. Female lacks stripes, body is yellowish with blue strip starting behind head and extending to mid-dorsal base, underside is
silver/white. Caudal tail has upper and lower outline on outer rays. Female more colorful than female described in GENMEL-051593-BROSTA-001

Adult diet: Live Artemia and blackworms, frozen scallops, prawns, octopus, smelt, All-Tropical®. Fed 2 times per day. Seldom observed feeding on benthic organisms or polyps.

Pre-spawning activity: Male displays with a “soaring” motion; body turns horizontal in water column, all fins flared and “quivers” quickly in close proximity to female. Male then chases and nips at female. This behavior occurred for almost 2 months before spawning occurred. Female
mimics males behavior and chases other fish from area before releasing eggs, which male then releases sperm.

Time spawning began: PM twilight

Area spawning occurred: open water column

Frequency of spawning: every other night

Egg description: Small clear sphere with an oil spot in the center. Eggs more buoyant than previous pair and tended to form small clumps near the corners and edges of aquarium.

Approximate quantity: 200 +

Size: ~1.0 mm

Egg changes / development: Oil spot turned white by next morning and small line developed. No further change over 4 days. Eggs then deteriorated.

Incubation period: unknown

Transfer / removal method: Collected with beaker; only small number of eggs collected. Adults and other tank mates immediately begin eating eggs after release.  

Spawning tank size (liter): 260

Sides of tank covered? No

Lighting & photo period: 1 – 175 watt Metal Halide 5500K, 6 hours; 2 – 40 watt fluorescent Super -R Actinics (URI®), 10 hours; 2 9 watt Osram Blue® subcombact fluorescents, 12 hours; ambient room lighting from micro-cultures, 14 hours.

Filtration: Live rock, skimmer, self-starting siphon surge device (after Carlson)

Additives and dosages: Instant Ocean® ASW 5 % bi-weekly; kalkwasser, KI 5%, 5 ml / week, Kent Buffer®.

Water temperature (F): 75 – 82 (seasonal)

Salinity: 36 ppt

pH: 8.1 – 8.4

Nitrate: <30 ppm

Comments: 9/10/96, both fish found dead, along with two other fish. Entire tank had “betadine” odor noticed at death of first pair. Tank had just had iodide addition the previous day. A review of notes indicated previous death had followed the addition of iodide. Female was bloated and dissection revealed she was heavy laden with eggs. On same day lost a trio of G. lamarck. Iodide addition was the common denominator. May indicate low tolerance to iodide (-ine).

Vernacular name: Striped Angelfish, Striped Lyre-tail Angelfish, Black-spot Lyre-tail Angelfish.

Original description: ( ? ) Bleeker described a Pomacanthidae in 1857 Holacanthus melanospilos, in Acta Soc. Sci. Indo-Neerl. v. 2; based on a single specimen collected at Amboina, Moluccas Is., Indonesia. ITIS indicates the usage is valid, however no one is credited with validating this species and this species of Holacanthus is not found in references available to the Breeder’s Registry.

Word origin: The genus Genicanthus from the Greek roots geni, -o, meaning chin or jaw; and canth meaning the corner of the eye. The species melanospilos is from the Greek roots melan, -o, meaning black; and spil, -o, =us, meaning spot or stain (also cliff). This is in possible reference to the prominent dark spot under the chin /gill area.

Suggested reading:

Esterbauer, Hans, The World of Genicanthus caudovittatus,, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, March
1994, T.F.H. Publications, One T.F.H. Plaza, Neptune City, NJ 07753 USA

Thresher, R. E., Reproduction in Reef Fishes, 1984, T.F.H. Publications, 211 West Sylvania
Avenue, Neptune City, NJ 07753 USA, ISBN 0-87666-808-2

About this report: Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations. Taxonomy, Synonomy, Original description , Word origin and Suggested reading are provided by member(s) of The Breeder’s Registry staff. Information is presented under the belief that it is accurate. If you have information in addition to, or contrary to that presented you are encouraged to contact the Breeder’s Registry. Permission is granted for “one-time” personal use. Reproduction as distributed or accessible media is prohibited without prior written permission. All rights reserved. 1996