Swallowtail for you???

[Gouldian]

In Singapore, we often have reefers asking whether there are any reef-safe Angels and at times, we will also have reefers asking how to remove a trouble-making Angels from an establish reef tank. I don’t deny that Angels are beautiful show fish for the regular tank. But does that mean that reefers with mixed reef will have to forego thoughts of having an Angel in their tank?

I don’t think so, besides risking time, money, corals and hairs by betting of the 50/50 reef-safe species such as the Centropyge that some reefers have discovered are not totally reef-safe. We can maybe look into the world of Genicanthus or commonly referred as Swallowtails.

The most notable characteristics of the genre are their tails that resembles a swallowtail thus the name. All species are equipped with small mouths lined with three or four rows of small bristle-like teeth. The teeth gives hints of its feeding tactics that is picking prey out of the water column. Thus most literature concludes that Genicanthus are pelagic planktivores, consuming copepods, fish eggs and larvae, polychaete larvae and pelagic tunicates. They will also feeds on polychaete worms occasionally.

All Genicanthus are diurnal and prefers steep drop-offs that are at least 75-90 feet deep In fact most species can only be found only around 200 feet with the G. semifascaitus residing in as deep as 650 feet!

Being sexually dichromatic, males have a considerably different coloration or pattern than females. Although I tend to prefer the female coloration of the G. bellus as compared to the male. The fish will adopt the male coloration only after first living as a functional female for a period of time. When the opportunity arises, most often from the lack of a dominant male's presence, the dominant female of the local group will become male.

As per all fishes from the deep, Genicanthus are susceptible to decompression sickness. Also the fact that most fishes available in our region comes from Philippines there are also cases of Cyanide poisoning. Thus it is prudent to purchase a already feeding specimen and never to purchase a fish that is unable to swim upright or remain stable in the water column.

There are generally lesser LFS in Singapore offering Genicanthus due to the fact that they are deep fishes and thus needs more care when collecting. The most commonly available species are the G. lamarki.

When comes to feeding, Genicanthus are very easy to feed once established in the home aquarium. Almost anything floating in the water column will get taste-tested, making the home aquarist's job that much easier.

Genicanthus species are not likely to pester small fish such as gobies and blennies if those fish are not planktivores.

Genicanthus preferably, should be kept in pairs. A lone individual will usually fare well, but watching a pair interact is well worth the investment. Reefers may obtain even more than a pair, but should be careful to add only one male, while all the remaining individuals must be females.

Thus, if you are looking for a colorful, bold, non-aggressive and hardy fish for your tank full of precious corals, look no further.

[Gouldian]

Below are the links to have a visual of the Genicanthus:

Female G.Bellus

G. melanospilos

Female G. semifasciatus

Male G. semifasciatus

Male G. watanabe

Female G. watanabe

Combination species

[Kurt Cobain]

very good info............

[Dispar_Anthias]

Wah bro i salute you... very detailed info... A species of fish reefers tend to overlook

[Dispar_Anthias]

My fav genicathus from hawaii... A rather rare fish

[Dispar_Anthias]

The female

scientific name is: genicanthus personatus

[Gouldian]

Yah the Genicanthus personatus, common in the north western Hawaiian islands but rare in the south.

A species that DA have a promised to fulfull!

[Dispar_Anthias]

Yah the Genicanthus personatus, common in the north western Hawaiian islands but rare in the south.

A species that DA have a promised to fulfull!

Huh huh what promise *DA looking confuse*

Eh as vowed, if that fish survive(oh yes it will ) i not going to add anymore fishes

[Gouldian]

very good info............

Thank you for your kind comments.

Any reefers here got anything to add in this thread please feel free to add as I may have left out something.

I will be getting help to post my female bellus and my male watanabe. Any reefers here got any Genicanthus sp. please feel free to post here.

Thanks in advance.

[royal gramma]

Genicanthus personatus-male

[royal gramma]

G. personatus-female

[Gouldian]

Where to get Genicanthus

Herewith is the brief listing of LFS and species that they usually carries:

Coralfarm: G. watanabe, G. caudovittatus, G. lamarkii, G. bellus, G. melanospilos

SeaLife: G. watanabe, G. bellus, G. melanospilos

Aquamarin: G. lamarkii

Iwarna: G. lamarkii

*Note: the above are not comprehensive as I only started checking out of the Genicanthus 5 months back.

I will strongly encourage reefers to check out Genicanthus in both Coralfarm and Sealife due to the fact that the specimens that they have generally fairs better maybe due to their divers are mor careful and plus the fact that they have more species availble for your picking.

However, please bear in mind that Genicanthus will usually made available in smaller quanity unlike the common Centropyge species.

I personally waited 2 months for the G. bellus and 4 months for the G. watanabe.

[WLSS]

hi Gouldian,

1) Are the 2 that you keep big eaters, like the tangs?

2) Are they really reef-safe, as in they do not feast on meaty lps?

TIA!

[Gouldian]

hi Gouldian,

1) Are the 2 that you keep big eaters, like the tangs?

2) Are they really reef-safe, as in they do not feast on meaty lps?

TIA!

Being planktonic feeders, Swallowtails eat very frequently in very small amounts just like Anthias.

Tangs are also frequent eaters but they definitely tends to eat and poops more than planktonic feeders.

However, unlike some Anthias such as the Purple Queens. Swallowtails are able to switch their diets to accommodate captivity just like the hardy Dispar Anthias. (Dom????)

As such, try to feed them at least 3 to 4 times a day in small amount and slowly reduce to your comfortable frequency. I feed only once a day.

As they are planktonic feeders, it is difficult for them to take big morsels of food, thus try not to feed them pellets. One of the best size food are Cyclopeeze although I have seen LFS feeding them with Hikkari Mysis.

For me, I am a believer of prepared frozen food. I will usually buy Henry's food, then further fortify it with:

1. Sturgeon eggs

2. Cyclopeeze

3. Aquaz Golden Pearls (different size)

4. Garlic

5. Zoecon or Selcon

6. Secret ingredients (cannot tell you )

7. Additional proteins such as shrimps, sotong, scallop etc

8. Nori

I strongly believe the above is the reason why I can feed 1 feed per day and all my fishes and corals are still healthy. Cuz the above recipe will cater to both carnivores and herbivores.

[yiling]

wow !!

did u add abalones as well !!

hehe

[Gouldian]

I dun mind. I will colect it from you next time we meet.

[seamonkee]

I got a pair of Watanabei today!!! YES, finally I got the male specimen!!!!

There were 3 males left and this is the only male that is feeding mysis...

The female I got is feeding well as well...

Now both in quarantine.... swimming very well.. will observe for the next few days...

Lovely bluish hues...

[seamonkee]

Here's a close up of the male...

When I got home, I fed it some mysis again... it was still feeding.. hahaha!!!

QT water taken from main tank... added seachem stressguard to relieve stress...

[seamonkee]

And a close up of the female...

[neokn]

Nice specimen. Got fromm SL, right??

[seamonkee]

Nice specimen. Got fromm SL, right??

Spent an hour observing them... haha... feeding well so I bought...

Got it as a reward for myself because I GOT THE JOB!!! YES! YES!

Today's morning second interview with the CEO was a success!

[Gouldian]

Congrats! 1 - for finding a job, 2 - for getting a pair of watanabe!

Very nice pair, I am sure you will like them. If you have got from SL, then it should be super stable liao.

Btw, G. watanabe is the smallest of the Genicanthus growing to about 15cm.

Good choice, just remeber to beef them up with lots of garlic before you release them into your main tank. (heard you went fallow)

[seamonkee]

Congrats!  1 - for finding a job,  2 - for getting a pair of watanabe!

Very nice pair, I am sure you will like them. If you have got from SL, then it should be super stable liao.

Btw, G. watanabe is the smallest of the Genicanthus growing to about 15cm. 

Good choice, just remeber to beef them up with lots of garlic before you release them into your main tank. (heard you went fallow)

Yup.. Tank is fallow since 12 Apr.... till 15 June....

That's like 2 months...

Patience.. patience... patience....

Gonna take it slow and steady now...

and no more BT, PBT or any ich magnets....

All fishes who want a place in my five footer got to go through 3 weeks of regimental QT in a 2 footer...

[Gouldian]

I have a male watanabe and a female bellus. If you happens to be in NE please do drop by.

[Terryz_]

Nice pair... Looking for G.Bellus Pair... lol...