Blackstriped angelfish (Genicanthus lamarck)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Acanthuriformes · Family: Pomacanthidae · Genus: Genicanthus.

Accepted name: Genicanthus lamarck · Authority: (Lacepède, 1802) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 211793.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Genicanthus lamarcki (Lacepède, 1802); Genicanthus lamark (Lacepède, 1802); Holacanthus lamarck Lacepède, 1802.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=211793 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Genicanthus lamarck. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 25 cm · Depth range: 10–50 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 15 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Inhabit shallow reef crests and deep reefs adjacent to steep slopes. Form aggregations to feed in midwater well above the bottom; harems of 3-7 individuals. Feeds on plankton. Frequently exported through the aquarium trade (Ref. 48391).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 6612) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Genicanthus-lamarck.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

469 georeferenced occurrence records for Genicanthus lamarck are published through GBIF from 13 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 77 distinct locations from a sample of 469 records, omitting 15 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Philippines (211); Indonesia (144); Australia (30); Japan (22); Solomon Islands (14); Viet Nam (12); Papua New Guinea (11); Timor-Leste (10); Malaysia (7); Chinese Taipei (5); Egypt (1); Fiji (1); French Polynesia (1).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Kenyan Exclusive Economic Zone; East Africa.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2396466) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2396466&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=211793 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Genicanthus lamarck (Lacepède, 1802) as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 165888) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165888/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2396466) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2396466/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Genicanthus lamarck adults are pale greyish to whitish in colour marked with 4-5 irregular black undulating stripes which radiate out from the eye and run horizontally along the flanks. There is a wide black submarginal band on the dorsal fin, and the caudal fin is finely spotted. The topmost stripe is wider in the females and in the juveniles. The males have a yellow patch on the crown, black pelvic fins, and very elongated lobes on the caudal fin.

In addition the males have black pelvic fins and white lobes to the caudal fin while females have white pectoral fins and black caudal fin lobes. The dorsal fin contains 15 spines and 15-16 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 16-17soft rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 25 cm.

Distribution

Genicanthus lamarck is found from the Gulf of Thailand east through the Malayan Archipelago to the Solomon Islands, north as far as southern Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef. Its Australian distribution also includes Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island in the Timor Sea.

Habitat and biology

Genicanthus lamarck is found at depths between 10 and 50 m. It is found in areas of dense coral growth on the seaward slopes of reefs and on steep drop-offs.

Its normal diet is zooplankton. They are normally observed over the bottom in small harems with a dominant male and 2-6 females. They are sequential protogynous hermaphrodites and if the male in a harem goes missing the dominant female changes sex to become male.

Systematics

Genicanthus lamarck was first formally described in 1860 as Holocanthus caudovittatus by the French naturalist Bernard Germain de Lacépède (1756-1825) with no type locality given. The specific name honours the French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet, Chevalier de Lamarck (1744-1829). This species is known to hybridise with the ornate angelfish (Genicanthus bellus).

Utilisation

Genicanthus lamarck is frequently found in the aquarium trade. It is also regarded as a delicacy in the Moluccas.

Source: Wikipedia: Genicanthus lamarck — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genicanthus_lamarck (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.