THE STEINHART AQUARIUM - Gulf of Guinea Science ...

Mortality/Longevity: More than 5 years in
captivity.
Remarks: When alarmed, can produce lowfrequency
drumlike noises that are loud
enough to startle divers.
Frequently exported through the aquarium
trade.
Bluegirdled Angelfish
Pomacanthus navarchus (Pomacanthidae)
Angelfishes
Distribution: Indo-Pacific from Indonesia to
Papua New Guinea, up to the Philippines and
south to the lower Great Barrier Reef, and parts
of Micronesia.
Habitat: Coral abundant areas in clear lagoons,
channels and sheltered outer reef slopes at
depths of 3– 40 m.
Appearance: Adults are bright yellow on the
sides and back and the dorsal and caudal fins.
The head, ventral side, pectoral and pelvic fins
are a bright blue with light blue spots. Narrow
light blue bands run across the face and a broad
dark blue band extends around the caudal
peduncle. The fins are edged in light blue. Max
length: 28 cm.
Diet: Sponges and tunicates.
Reproduction and Development: Generally
solitary except when spawning, they form
small groups with a dominant male and several
females. The dominant female can change sex
should the dominant male die.
Mortality/Longevity: Life span: c. 15 years.
Conservation Status: This species is a highly
prized aquarium fish, but not listed as
threatened or endangered.
Amazon Leaf Fish
Monocirrhus polyacanthus (Nandidae)
Leaffishes
Distribution: Amazon River basin of Peru,
Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, and Venezuela.
Habitat: Shallow, nearshore areas with dense
vegetation and slow-moving or still water.
Appearance: Can change colors to blend more
completely into its surroundings. Body shape,
coloration and fin rays mimic leaf shape.
Diet: Carnivore, mainly feeding on other
fish. Lie-in-wait predator, using camouflage
to capture unsuspecting prey that ventures
too close. Also can move toward prey using
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its transparent pectoral fins, making it almost
impossible to see. Prey, some almost as large
as the leaf fish itself, are sucked in as the large
mouth opens.
Reproduction and Development: Males
guard eggs, which are laid on leaves or other
flat surfaces.
Redspotted Hawkfish
Amblycirrhitus pinos (Cirrhitidae)
Hawkfishes
Distribution: Western Atlantic.
Habitat: Moderately common in rocky areas
and among rubble, often in crevices and
shallow caves.
Appearance: Pale body bisected by broad
brownish vertical bars with lighter, narrow
stripes between. Head covered with bright red
spots. Max. length: 9.5 cm.
Diet: Feeds primarily on small crustaceans,
particularly copepods, shrimps and shrimp
larvae, crabs and crab larvae as well as
polychaetes. Like other members of its family,
has short, conical teeth, effective in grasping
small prey items.
Remarks: Like all hawkfishes, perches on
rocks and corals waiting for food to come by,
often hopping from spot to spot using its large
pectoral fins as landing pads.
Falco’s Hawkfish
Cirrhitichthys falco (Cirrhitidae)
Hawkfishes
Distribution: Western Pacific, from the
Philippines to Japan, Samoa, the Barrier Reef,
and New Caledonia; as far east as Hawaii and
the Galapagos.
Habitat: Shallow coastal to outer reef flats and
slopes at depths up to 45 meters. Typically
rest at the bases of coral heads, perched high
enough to see prey and predators.
Appearance: Whitish body with red spots that
form diagonal bands. Two thin red lines extend
downward from the eye. Yellow tufts of cirri
are present near the tips of dorsal spines. The
male is larger than the female. Max. length:
7 cm.
Diet: Shrimp, worms, and other small prey,
located by excellent eyesight.
Reproduction and Development: Haremic,
usually found with one male presiding over