Yellow Scissortail, also known as Yellow Devilfish or Yellow Assessor, is a small fish found in the western Central Pacific, including the Great Barrier Reef and Papua New Guinea.
It’s found near reefs, caves, and other hiding spots.
Yellow scissortail eat plankton and usually gather in small groups under ledges or inside crevices, often swimming upside down.
Male yellow scissortail protect their eggs by holding them in their mouths. This fish is sometimes seen in the aquarium trade and is safe for reef tanks.
You can check out what this fish looks like over here.
Yellow Scissortail Interesting Facts
- Yellow scissortail fish are found in the western Central Pacific, including the Great Barrier Reef and Papua New Guinea.
- These bright yellow fish grow up to 2.4 inches (6.0 centimeters) long and have reddish-orange stripes on their face and fins.
- They eat plankton, swim upside down, and prefer hiding under ledges or inside crevices in reef environments.
- Male yellow scissortail protect their eggs by holding them in their mouths.
Yellow Scissortail Habitat
Yellow scissortail lives in the Western Central Pacific, specifically near the Great Barrier Reef and Papua New Guinea.
This marine fish is associated with coral reefs and can be found at depths of 5 to 20 meters (16 to 66 feet). It thrives in tropical environments.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Yellow Scissortail Physical Characteristics
Size: 2.4 inches (6.0 centimeters)
Yellow scissortail is a small, brightly colored marine fish. It grows up to 2.4 inches (6.0 centimeters) long.
This fish has 11 dorsal spines, 8 to 10 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines, and 9 to 10 soft anal rays.
The fish is mainly yellow with a red-orange stripe from its eye to the top of its gill cover. Its dorsal and anal fins have a red edge.
In addition, the yellow scissortail has 17 to 23 tubed lateral line scales and fine, comb-like scales on its body.
Its body depth is about one-third of its length, and it has a forked tail fin.
Yellow Scissortail Reproduction
Male yellow scissortail protect their eggs as part of their parenting role.
Yellow Scissortail Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Family: | Plesiopidae |
| Genus: | Assessor |
| Scientific Name: | Assessor flavissimus |
| Also Known As: | Yellow Scissortail, Yellow Devilfish, Yellow Assessor |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |