Genicanthus
Genus of fishes
title: "Genicanthus" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["pomacanthidae", "marine-fish-genera", "taxa-named-by-bernard-germain-de-lacépède", "genicanthus"] description: "Genus of fishes" topic_path: "general/pomacanthidae" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genicanthus" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Genus of fishes ::
| image = Genicanthus lamarck male 2.jpg | image_caption = Blackstriped angelfish (G. lamarck) | taxon = Genicanthus | authority = Swainson, 1839 | type_species = Holacanthus lamarck | type_species_authority = Lacepède, 1802 | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = See text.
Genicanthus is a genus of marine angelfishes in the family Pomacanthidae. Known commonly as swallowtail or lyretail angelfish, these fishes are so-named for the distinctive shape of their tailfins.
In aquaria
This genus of angelfishes, in comparison to the other species found in hobby aquaria, are a good choice for beginners as they do not get nearly as large as some of the others. Another unique attribute is that swallowtail angels will tolerate each other and can be kept in pairs or as a single male with a harem, though it is typically best to add them to a tank at the same time. If added on by one, the angel which is added first may become aggressively territorial towards any new additions. Unlike others in the family Pomocanthidae, the angelfish species in the genus Genicanthus are generally considered to be reef safe.
Also unlike most other members of the Pomacanthidae, those in Genicanthus are sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females are easily distinguishable. Fish in this species possess a small mouth relative to its size. This small mouth is well adapted for feeding on plankton in the water column. As planktivores, members of Genicanthus generally will not nip corals and sessile invertebrates.
Etymology
The name of this genus means “thorn cheek”, a reference to the spines on the rear margin of the operculum, a feature common to all angelfish.
Species
The following species are classified under the genus Genicanthus:
::data[format=table]
| Male | Female | Scientific name | Common name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [[File:Fish Georgia aquarium - 37529451142 (cropped).jpg | frameless | 150x150px]] | [[File:Genicanthus bellus.jpg | 150x150px]] |
| [[File:Genicanthus caudovittatus - R Vasconcellos - 578813089 (cropped).jpeg | frameless | 150x150px]] | [[File:Genicanthus caudovittatus - R Vasconcellos - 579936075 (cropped).jpeg | frameless |
| [[File:Genicanthus lamarck male.jpg | frameless | 150x150px]] | [[File:Genicanthus lamarck female.jpg | 150x150px]] |
| [[File:Pomacanthidae - Genicanthus melanospilos.JPG | 150x150px]] | [[File:DSC 0939NAB 3.17 (cropped).jpg | frameless | 150x150px]] |
| [[File:Genicanthus personatus NOAA.jpg | 150x150px]] | [[File:Masked Angelfish (Genicanthus personatus) - GRB.JPG | frameless | 150x150px]] |
| Genicanthus semicinctus | Halfbanded angelfish | from Lord Howe Island (Australia), and the Kermadec Islands (New Zealand) in the south-western Pacific Ocean | ||
| [[File:Genicanthus semifasciatus male.jpg | frameless | 150x150px]] | [[File:Genicanthus semifasciatus.jpg | 150x150px]] |
| Genicanthus spinus | Pitcairn angelfish | Eastern Pacific: Cook Islands to Ducie Atoll | ||
| Genicanthus takeuchii | Spotted angelfish | Northwest Pacific: Marcus Island and the Ogasawara Islands | ||
| [[File:Female Genicanthus watanabei.jpg | 150x150px]] | Genicanthus watanabei | Blackedged angelfish | |
| :: |
References
References
- {{Cof family
- [http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-02/hcs3/index.php Reefkeeping.com]
- (21 July 2020). "Order ACANTHURIFORMES (part 1): Families LOBOTIDAE, POMACANTHIDAE, DREPANEIDAE and CHAETODONTIDAE". Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara.
- {{FishBase genus. (2019)
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