The goldtail angelfish (Pomacanthus chrysurus), also known as the earspot angelfish, is a striking marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. Here are some key details about this fascinating species:
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Description:
- The goldtail angelfish exhibits more similarities between adults and juveniles than most other marine angelfishes in the genus Pomacanthus.
- Juveniles have blackish-brown bodies with white vertical bars. Their face is paler and marked with uneven blue lines.
- As they grow (around 4 cm or 1.6 inches), a yellow caudal fin develops, along with a white bar on the caudal peduncle.
- Both juveniles and adults have a black spot on the upper anterior portion of their body.
- Adults differ from juveniles by having a dark face and no white bar on the caudal peduncle.
- The dorsal fin has 13–14 spines and 17–19 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 18–19 soft rays.
- Maximum total length: 33 cm (13 inches).
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Distribution:
- Found in the western Indian Ocean from the Gulf of Aden south along the coast of Eastern Africa (including KwaZulu Natal).
- Range includes Madagascar, the Comoro Islands, and the Seychelles.
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Habitat and Diet:
- Occurs at depths of 1 to 30 meters (3.3 to 98.4 feet) on shallow reefs with rich coral growth or rocky reefs.
- Adults primarily feed on sponges, tunicates, crustaceans, and zooplankton.
- Juveniles, found in shallower waters, consume large quantities of algae.
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Systematics:
- First formally described by French anatomist Georges Cuvier in 1831.
- Specific name “chrysurus” combines “chrysis” (meaning “gold”) and “urus” (meaning “tail”), referring to the yellow caudal fin.
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Utilization:
- Infrequently collected for the aquarium trade but rarely available.
