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Species profile—Chaetodontoplus meredithi (Queensland yellowtail angelfish)

Classification

Animalia (animals) → Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) → Pomacanthidae (anglefishes) → Chaetodontoplus meredithi (Queensland yellowtail angelfish)

Sighting data

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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.

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Licence
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Last updated
20 May 2024