Species profile—Chaetodontoplus meredithi (Queensland yellowtail angelfish)
Classification
Animalia (animals) → Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) → Pomacanthidae (anglefishes) → Chaetodontoplus meredithi (Queensland yellowtail angelfish)
Sighting data
Species details
- Kingdom
- Animalia (animals)
- Class
- Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
- Family
- Pomacanthidae (anglefishes)
- Scientific name
- Chaetodontoplus meredithi Kuiter, 1990
- Common name
- Queensland yellowtail angelfish
- WildNet taxon ID
- 32133
- Conservation significant
- No
- Wetland status
- Wetland Dependant Species
- Endemicity
- Native
- Pest status
- Nil
- Description
- The Queensland yellowtail angelfish has a blue head with yellow spots. Juveniles have a white band behind the head that darkens as the fish grows. The nape, breast and tail fin are yellow. The body is black. This species has a stout preopercular spine (between the cheek and gill). It grows to a maximum length of 25-30cm.
- Distribution
- This species is endemic to Australia. It occurs in tropical and warm temperate marine waters from northern Queensland to the central coast of New South Wales. It is also known from Lord Howe Island, New South Wales.
- Distributional limits
- 0, 0
0, 0 - Species environment
- Marine
- Habitat
- The species inhabit areas with a silt bottom on coral and rocky reefs in inshore waters. They are often found under deep jetties where sponges are prolific. Small juveniles inhabit rocky ledges with sea urchins.
- Behaviour
- Male angelfish defend their territory by driving away other male competitors. This is performed in order to maintain access to a mate. Like many angelfish species, the Queensland yellowtail angelfish probably takes shelter in caves or coral crevices.
- Reproduction
- For many species of angelfish, spawning (mating) occurs at dusk. Usually a single pair, although sometimes a small group, will congregate off the ocean bottom. When a female arrives nearby, the male performs a courtship display. This involves erecting his fins and swimming rapidly back and forth. Then the male and female swim spiralling toward the surface, where they simultaneously shed eggs and sperm, before returning to the ocean bottom. The eggs are less than 1mm in diameter and hatch 15-20 hours later.
- Notes
- Contributors: Mellisa Mayhew 16/10/2008; Wayne Martin 09/11/2008
- References
- Egerton, L. (ed.) (2005). Encyclopedia of Australian Wildlife, (Revised Edition). Readers Digest Pty Ltd, Sydney.
Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. (2006). Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia, Volume 35.2, p. 1306. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood.
Kuiter, R.H. (1996). Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland Ltd, Sydney.
McGrouther, M. (2004). Find a Fish: Yellowtail Angelfish, Chaetodontoplus meredithi Kuiter, 1990. Australian Museum, Sydney, accessed 16/10/2008, [http://www.austmus.gov.au/fishes/fishfacts/fish/cmeredithi.htm]. - Profile author
- Mellisa Mayhew (09/11/2008)
Other resources
Data source
This profile data is sourced from the QLD Wildlife Data API using the Get species by ID function used under CC-By 4.0.
https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species/?op=getspeciesbyid&taxonid=32133.
This information is sourced from the WildNet database managed by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.
