Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus (Bloch, 1787)
Vermiculated angelfish
Baro-baro,  Kalaykalay,  Vermiculated angelfish,  Alibangbang,  Boray-boray,  Kulibangbang,  Paro-paro,  Paru-parang dagat,  Tapay-tapay
Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus
photo by Tanaka, H.

Family:  Pomacanthidae (Angelfishes)
Max. size:  18 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 20 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Japan to Indonesia, Sri Lanka and east to Papua New Guinea (Ref. 4859). Reported from Mentawai Islands (Ref. 27157). May consist of two separate species, one with an all-yellow tail and the other mostly gray tail (Ref. 48391).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-18; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 17-18. Description: Body purplish grey with vermiculations white, snout tip yellow, eye bar black, patch on nape white or yellow. Body depth 1.7-1.8 in SL. Scales longitudinal series about 80 (Ref. 90102). May consist of two separate species, one with an all-yellow tail and the other mostly gray tail (Ref. 48391, 48636).
Biology:  Inhabits continental shelf reefs; not usually found around oceanic islands (Ref. 9710). Feeds on sponges, tunicates, and filamentous algae (Ref. 9710). Forms small groups. Frequently exported through the aquarium trade (Ref. 48391). Very close to Chaetodontoplus poliourus Randall & Rocha, 2009 with different colors on pelvic, dorsal and caudal fins. The two species coexist in several islands of Indonesia (Ref. 82330) including Lesser Sunda Islands, Molucca Islands, Halmahera, and Bird's Head Peninsula of West Papua (Ref. 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Known from Surigao City (Ref. 58652), TaƱon Strait (Ref. 107276), San Juan, Batangas (Ref. 107854),Calatagan, Batangas (Ref. 107852), Lanuza Bay (Ref. 104756), Bongo Island and Paril-Sangay Protected Seascape, Moro Gulf and Malalag Bay (Ref. 106380), and Bantayan Is. in northern Cebu (Ref. 114734). Also Ref. 1602, 8631, 48613, 59110, 121724.


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