Chaetodontoplus vanderloosi Allen & Steene, 2004
Vanderloos angelfish
Chaetodontoplus vanderloosi
photo by Carlson, B.

Family:  Pomacanthidae (Angelfishes)
Max. size:  12.52 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 6 - 9 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Papua New Guinea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 17-17; Vertebrae: 24-24. This species is characterized by the following: D XIII, 17; A III, 17; pectoral rays 16-17; tiny scales, about 105-116 diagonal scale rows from upper end of gill opening to base of caudal fin; gill rakers 4-5 +11 on first arch; maximum body depth 1.9-2.0; length of preopercular spine 2.7-4.1 in HL; color of adults mainly black with pale grey head and adjacent dorsoanterior part of body; caudal fin black with broad yellow margin posteriorly; juveniles are mainly black with yellow median band from snout to forehead, yellow diagonal band from front of dorsal fin origin to pelvic fin, broad yellow margin covering most of dorsal fin, and a yellow caudal fin with black submarginal bar (Ref. 77039).
Biology:  Of all coral reef fishes. this species has one of the most restricted ranges. Occurs in scattered soft and hard corals of rocky bottoms, in vicinity of sunken debris or wharves, in areas of cool upwelling, 22-24 degrees Celsius (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 08 October 2009 (B1ab(v)+2ab(v)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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