Genicanthus Caudovittatus or Melanospilos?

[reefsic]

Genicanthus Caudovittatus or Melanospilos?? Which is it?

 

[Hormigaquatica]

G. melanospilos

 

[reefsic]

G. melanospilos

How can you tell? Is it just the black spot that differentiates the two species?

 

[jd474]

G. melanospilos

+1. G. caudovittatus has a black stripe that runs horizontally below the dorsal fin.

 

[LemonLemon]

yes G. melanospilos +2.

caudovittatus has a thick black band along the dorsal fin, and the black bars are more tightly packed together.

 

[reefsic]

Got it...thanks guys!

Will G. Melanospilos develop streamers during adulthood, or does this only occur on G. Caudovittatus?

 

[SDguy]

Will G. Melanospilos develop streamers during adulthood

Yup

 

[gasman059]

show off LOL---- such a great fish Peter.

 

[snorvich]

show off LOL---- such a great fish Peter.

Yes, that fish is a beauty for sure!

 

[reefsic]

Dang Peter, your G. Melanospilos is huge! I love the streamer look!!!

 

[reefsic]

@SDguy

Agreed...super striking in person and fun to watch their swim patterns when chasing food around the DT!

 

[SDguy]

Thanks guys. I need a photographer to come over and snap some good pics of its head. The pattern looks just like a juvi takeuchii

 

[ccampbell57]

Peter - now you have me searching for a pair of G. Melanospilos...dang it

 

[SDguy]

Sorry Chris . I have to admit, I bought them on a whim... i was really upset about a bad argi pair experience at the time. But, I've grown to really, really love them. They have so much more personality, BTW, than my tangs, which are "showier" to most people.

 

[reefsic]

I've noticed that my G. Melanospilos' zebra stripes seem to be fading! Is it possible for the male to morph back to a female if there isnt a female present in the Tank?

Does this mean I have to run out and add a female for his stipes to darken?

 

[gasman059]

I've noticed that my G. Melanospilos' zebra stripes seem to be fading! Is it possible for the male to morph back to a female if there isnt a female present in the Tank?

Does this mean I have to run out and add a female for his stipes to darken?

It can happen and viceversa-- they are IME so unpredictable in captivity.
female to male and male to female not necessarily dur to the presence of the opposite sex.