(Image credit: Rick Stuart-Smith, Reef Life Survey)

This fish is regarded as one of the most rare angelfish. It is a pearly white colour with a distinctive black dorsal surface that extends down to the pectoral and caudal fin bases. Both pectoral and caudal fins are a translucent yellow. The spines on the dorsal fin are white with a narrow light yellow band separating the black body region.

The eye is yellow edged and is ringed by a black blotch that runs over the head. The mouth is also black.

Only a small number of specimens have been sighted and collected, due to the depth and aparent limited range of the species. Known from Balls Pyramid near Lord Howe Island.

Length: Up to 20 cm

Habitat

Rocky reefs; 12-125 m depth

Log it

Log this species if spotted anywhere in New South Wales

Related links/info

Species names on the Redmap site are based on the Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota or CAAB (http://www.cmar.csiro.au/caab/). This is updated regularly and lists the approved common name, family, species name and more.

Find further information and images at FISHES OF AUSTRALIA http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/

http://australianmuseum.net.au/Ballina-Angelfish-Chaetodontoplus-ballinae