Genicanthus melanospilos?

[i cant think]

I know I did a previous post about this a few months ago but the results were indecisive so I figured this deserved a new post to try get some more insight, so far it’s looking to be a melanospilos however the tail is continuously messing with me and I wanted some more input.
I had this sold to me as a Genicanthus melanospilos 2 years ago, September 2020. I just wanted to be extremely sure it’s not a Caudovittatus, Semifasciatus, or some other whacky species.

 

[MnFish1]

Beautiful fish. Based on this (obvious its a female) - article - I would say your ID is correct. I do not know if these species interbreed though. https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/genicanthus-angels-the-true-reef-safe-angels-part-2.557/

 

[Zionas]

Hey I still think it’s a Melanospilos caught between male and female colors. Without a female, the male (which yours started out as a full male) saw no need to maintain its colors but also didn’t fully transition back into a female so it’s kind of in a halfway phase.

 

[i cant think]

Hey I still think it’s a Melanospilos caught between male and female colors. Without a female, the male (which yours started out as a full male) saw no need to maintain its colors but also didn’t fully transition back into a female so it’s kind of in a halfway phase.

Thankyou! Do you know if he’ll still gain the streamers or would I need a female in the tank for that?

 

[Zionas]

Hey! Of course I can’t say for sure but I think your chances are better if you get a female (a smaller one) to pair with him!

 

[i cant think]

Hey! Of course I can’t say for sure but I think your chances are better if you get a female (a smaller one) to pair with him!

Okay, I’ll think about getting a female (The ideas still up in the air but I have thought about getting one of the new 5’ RedSea tanks so if I do then I’ll probably wait till I upgrade).

 

[Zionas]

Good luck!

 

[albano]

Hey I still think it’s a Melanospilos caught between male and female colors. Without a female, the male (which yours started out as a full male) saw no need to maintain its colors but also didn’t fully transition back into a female so it’s kind of in a halfway phase.

+1… I had 2 female Bellus angels along with a F Lamarck in my old 450g tank. The slightly bigger Bellus turned male , and changed colors. About 6 months later the Lamarck had a rapid growth spurt and turned male… causing the M. Bellus to revert back to F colors, BUT, with a weird pattern not like the other F.
I didn’t mind the change because the fish was ‘unusual’ looking and truthfully I don’t care for the M bellus coloring.
Unfortunately the tank and fish were lost when an accident caused the tank seam to split.

 

[Zionas]

That sucks especially for a tank that size. And agree male Bellus aren’t all that good looking. Melanospilos, Watanabei, and Semifasciatus have better looking males.

Do you still keep any angels, Genicanthus or others?

 

[albano]

Yes, in my 500g (6’x5’). I have a f bellus, a majestic and a pair of Shepards… and in my 200g a pair of flames and a smaller coral beauty.
will soon be moving tanks to new home and will be adding a few more angels.

 

[Zionas]

Love the Shepherds. How big is your Majestic and how long have you had it for? In your experience which of the larger angels don’t get huge in captivity?

 

[i cant think]

Love the Shepherds. How big is your Majestic and how long have you had it for? In your experience which of the larger angels don’t get huge in captivity?

I’d also be interested in this. It’s my dream to have a 7’ tank with medium/“large” angels but I don’t think I would be able to fit one. I still hold hope though.

 

[i cant think]

That sucks especially for a tank that size. And agree male Bellus aren’t all that good looking. Melanospilos, Watanabei, and Semifasciatus have better looking males.

Do you still keep any angels, Genicanthus or others?

I agree with that, Bellus are much nicer as females.
If I got a female semifasciatus would that bring better colours in the Mel or would it need to be another female Melanospilos.

 

[MnFish1]

Curious - (don't want to debate) - My understanding is that if kept alone - the fish will either remain Male - (or can revert to male). When I look at the picture (could be the light) - can barely see the vertical stripes (which would be more male) - my curiosity was it more 'male-like' before and then changed to female - or was it more female like before and now is reverting back to male? Again beautiful fish

 

[Zionas]

If you know a user called o2manyfish, he told me that Majestics, Regals, and Goldflakes all stay fairly moderately sized in captivity. I’m not sure if there’s any others apart from Genicanthus but yeah would love to know.

 

[Zionas]

This is an example of a “pure” Goldflake juvenile. I’d save this image if I wanted a pure CB specimen.

 

[jda]

Males can stay male without a female if they are terminal - this can take a while. I have no idea how long, but they have to get the long streamers, huge throat/chin, elongated body, etc. I have a single Watanabei Male since my female jumped out. This has been years ago and the male is still male, but was with the female for at least 5 years.

If they have the female body shape with the male colors, then they are probably not terminal. The male watanabei in the article above does not look terminal to me, for example.

I have had fish with male colors go back to female colors. Obviously, not terminal.

I have never NOT had a male develop with a pair of females... even with different kinds. I have always gotten a male, and sometimes it is not the one that you want. I had a female bellus change and I was not happy about it.

 

[Zionas]

That is very interesting to know. Thanks.

 

[i cant think]

Curious - (don't want to debate) - My understanding is that if kept alone - the fish will either remain Male - (or can revert to male). When I look at the picture (could be the light) - can barely see the vertical stripes (which would be more male) - my curiosity was it more 'male-like' before and then changed to female - or was it more female like before and now is reverting back to male? Again beautiful fish

The scribbles at the top of his body are beautiful for sure, it’s what really differentiates this guy from the rest IMO but I haven’t seen another male “stuck” in the halfway point. Mines been like this for Atleast a year so I don’t think he’ll revert any further.
Here’s the best photos I found of him from September 2020

 

[i cant think]

Just wanted to update this thread… I think I can officially say that this is a specimen that is stuck in between the two transitional phases. He’s got the streamers of a male, that mask of a male, the fins of a male but the pattern of a female transitioning to male still.