Masked Swallowtail Angelfish, scientifically named Genicanthus semifasciatus, is also known as the Japanese Swallow Angelfish.
It’s a type of marine fish with ray-like fins belonging to the Pomacanthidae family. This fish is found in the Western Pacific region.
Masked swallowtail angelfish typically lives in seaward rocky and coral reefs.
This fish is hardy and can survive well in an aquarium, where it eats standard food such as chopped beef, freeze-dried shrimp, and mysids.
It’s a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning that individuals first mature as females and later change into males.
These fish form permanent harem groups composed of one male and several smaller females.
Masked swallowtail angelfish is considered reef safe, meaning that if introduced into an aquarium environment, it will not harm coral reefs.
Masked Swallowtail Angelfish Interesting Facts
- Masked swallowtail angelfish is a marine angelfish found in the Western Pacific.
- They live on seaward rocky and coral reefs and are considered hardy aquarium species.
- This fish eats standard food like chopped beef, freeze-dried shrimp, mysids, etc.
- Masked swallowtail angelfish is a protogynous hermaphrodite which forms permanent harem groups composed of one male and several smaller females.
Masked Swallowtail Angelfish Habitat
Masked swallowtail angelfish is a marine fish found in the Western Pacific region.
Its habitat ranges from southern Japan to Taiwan and the northern Philippines. This fish lives in reef environments and doesn’t migrate.
It can be found at depths between 15 and 100 meters (about 49 to 328 feet) and thrives in tropical climates.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Masked Swallowtail Angelfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 8.3 inches (21.0 centimeters)
Masked swallowtail angelfish can grow up to 21 cm (about 8.3 in) in length.
This fish has 15 dorsal spines, 15 to 16 soft dorsal rays, 3 anal spines, and 17 soft anal rays.
The appearance of the female masked swallowtail angelfish includes a black margin on the caudal fin (tail fin) and two black head bars.
The male has numerous closely spaced wavy vertical bars on its dorsal side and a white ventral side with a yellow horizontal bar extending to its head.
The body depth of this fish is 2.0 to 2.2 times smaller than its length, and it has 46 to 48 scales in its longitudinal series.
Masked Swallowtail Angelfish Reproduction
Masked swallowtail angelfish is a monandric species, meaning that it has only one male within each group.
This fish undergoes gender change at a size of 9.3 cm (about 3.7 inches) in total length.
These fish form permanent harem groups, which consist of a single male and several smaller females.
Masked Swallowtail Angelfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Pomacanthidae |
| Genus: | Genicanthus |
| Scientific Name: | Genicanthus semifasciatus |
| Also Known As: | Masked Swallowtail Angelfish, Japanese Swallow Angelfish |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |