How to Identify Lyretail Angelfish

To identify Lyretail Angelfish (Genicanthus caudovittatus), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

compressed

Coloration

Males: Predominantly white to pale blue body with distinct black horizontal stripes along the flanks, particularly prominent on the posterior half. The caudal fin is deeply forked (lyretail) with elongated filaments, often with black margins. The dorsal and anal fins may have black edging. Females: Generally a more uniform pale blue to grayish-white body, lacking the prominent black stripes of the males. Their caudal fin is also lyretail but less elongated and without the strong black markings. Juveniles resemble females.

Scale type

ctenoid

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Pronounced sexual dimorphism in coloration and caudal fin shape., Deeply forked caudal fin, especially in males., Small mouth adapted for planktivorous feeding.

Dorsal fin

Single dorsal fin with 15 spines and 15-16 soft rays. The soft-rayed portion is typically taller than the spiny portion.

Tail fin

Deeply forked (lyretail) caudal fin, with the upper and lower lobes significantly elongated in males.

Pectoral fin

Rounded and relatively small, typical of angelfish.

Distinctive fins

The elongated caudal fin lobes are the most distinctive fin feature, particularly in mature males.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Sexual Dimorphism

   Males have prominent black horizontal stripes and more elongated caudal fin filaments compared to the plainer, pale blue females.

2. 2

   Caudal Fin Shape

   The deeply forked, lyretail caudal fin is a key identifier for the genus Genicanthus, and particularly pronounced in this species.

3. 3

   Habitat

   Look for them in deeper reef environments, often swimming in mid-water columns rather than close to the substrate like many other angelfish.

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