Black spot angelfish (Genicanthus melanospilos) is found from Malaysia east to Fiji and New Caledonia. This angelfish grows to about 7 inches in length. The male is marked like an African zebra, and the female is pale colored with black upper and lower edges to the deeply forked tail.

Angelfish of the genus Genicanthus are found widely in both the Indian and western Pacific Ocean. These angelfish are generally less than 8 inches in length. They feed on zooplankton and algae. Their foods also include small invertebrates. Several of the species are marked with vertical dark lines on pale backgrounds. Others are marked with black horizontal lines on pale backgrounds. There is considerable sexual dimorphism in the genus, as most of the females lack either the vertical or horizontal stripes. Several of he better known species include:

Genicanthus bellus - Single horizontal black stripe - S. Pacific
Genicanthus caudovittatus - Vertical stripes - Indian Ocean
Genicanthus lamarcki - Horizontal stripes - Japan to Indonesia
Genicanthus melanospilus - Vertical stripes - Malaysia to S. Pacific
Genicanthus personatus - No stripes - Hawaii, Etc.
Genicanthus semicinctus - Vertical stripes on upper body - Local Species
Genicanthus semifsaciatus - Vertical stripes on upper body - Japanese Swallow
Genicanthus spinus - Vertical stripes on upper body - South Pacific
Genicanthus watanabei - Horizontal stripes on lower body - Taiwan to Australia

Genicanthus fucosus appears to be referred to Genicanthus semifasciatus

The Pomacanthidae includes the genera Centropyge, Genicanthus, Pomacanthus, and Holocanthus. There are about a seven genera and about 80 species in this group. Although these are related to the butterfly fishes, these fish are usually larger and more spectacular. Their popularity with the hobby aquarium industry has led some European countries to ban imports of this entire family. The larger members can reach 14 inches in length, while the smaller members can be up to only 4 inches in length.

Butterfly fish, family Chaetodontidae, are a group of small marine fish that inhabit the reefs of the world. There are many species in the group, many of which are both beautiful and abundant. There are about 115 species distributed among ten genera. The marine angel fish family (Pomacanthidae) is combined herein with its additional perhaps 50 species. The Pomacanthidae includes the genera Pomacanthus and Holocanthus. We have then divided this family into the two typically recognized families.

Perch-like Fish, Order Perciformes, are the largest order of fish in both freshwater and shallow saltwater. Most of the conventional fish belong to this order. The bass, bluegills, perch and crappies of freshwater plus the groupers and sea bass of salt water belong to this order. The fish all have spiny rays in their fins and the tail fin has seventeen rays. There are approximately 150 families. Herein, we have placed the families in alphabetical sequence within this order. (In some instances the typical taxonomic sequence of families is not much help. Consider, for example, that the barracudas are usually placed between the mullets and the threadfins.)

Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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