Scribbled Angelfish

Chaetodontoplus duboulayi, also known as the Scribbled Angelfish, is a captivating marine ray-finned fish found in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Its striking appearance and intricate patterns make it a true gem beneath the waves.

Here are some fascinating details about this enchanting fish:

• Description: The Scribbled Angelfish has a predominantly blue body adorned with darker wavy lines. Its snout is yellow, as are the pectoral, pelvic, and caudal fins. A yellow stripe extends along the base of the dorsal fin, and a wide vertical yellow bar graces the rear of the eye. Interestingly, this species exhibits sexual dimorphism: males sport sinuous blue lines along their flanks, while females have yellow or blue spots.

• Size: These graceful fish reach a maximum total length of approximately 28 centimeters (11 inches).

• Distribution: Chaetodontoplus duboulayi inhabits the waters along the northern Australian coast, from Shark Bay in Western Australia to Moreton Bay in Queensland, and as far south as Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea. It can also be found in the Aru Islands of Indonesia and along the southern coast of New Guinea. There have even been reports of sightings in Taiwan.

• Habitat and Behavior: Scribbled Angelfish prefer depths between 5 and 20 meters (16 to 66 feet) and are commonly found on coastal and inshore reefs. They thrive in areas with rubble, soft bottoms, or open rocky substrates adorned with outcroppings of rock, coral, sponge, and seawhips. These fish often move in small groups and feed on benthic invertebrates, particularly sponges and tunicates. Like other angelfish, they exhibit protogynous hermaphroditism, where all individuals start as females, and dominant ones eventually transition to males.

Next time you explore the mesmerizing underwater world, keep an eye out for the Scribbled Angelfish—a living masterpiece of nature!