Pitcairn angelfish (Genicanthus spinus)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Genicanthus spinus · Authority: Randall, 1975 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 279097.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=279097 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 35 cm · Depth range: 40–100 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 25 of 100.

FishBase notes: Inhabits rock and coral reef at depths of 30 to at least 60 m. Occurs in aggregations that swim high above the bottom; harems of 2-5 individuals. Feeds mainly on zooplankton, although some benthic material is probably consumed (Ref. 4858). Almost never exported through the aquarium trade (Ref. 48391).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 11158) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Genicanthus-spinus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Genicanthus spinus Randall, 1975 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 165846) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165846/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2396455) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2396455/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The Pitcairn angelfish like the other angelfishes in the genus Genicanthus, shows sexual dichromatism, the males and females show differences in colour and pattern. The males have a white body which is marked with many vertical black stripes while the females have an overall bluish white colouration.

In both sexes the forked tail narrows at its base to create a "swallow tail". The dorsal fin contains 15 spines and 17 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 18-19 soft rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 35 cm.

Genicanthus spinus is found in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It has been recorded from the islands of Raivavae and Rurutu in the Austral Islands of French Polynesia Dulcie Atoll in the UK Overseas Territory of the Pitcairn Islands and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

Genicanthus spinus Is found on rock and coral reefs at depths between 30 and 60 m (at least). it is normally encountered in groups that swim high in the water column, these are harems of 1 male and as many as 4 females. They feed mostly on zooplankton but may eat some benthic invertebrates.

Genicanthus spinus was first formally described in 1975 by the American ichthyologists John E. Randall (1924–2020) with the type locality given as Bounty Bay on Pitcairn Island. The specific name spinus means "spine" and refers to the very large anterior spine in front of the eye.

Source: Wikipedia: Pitcairn angelfish — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitcairn_angelfish (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.