Greetings,
I want to apologize to all of you for the delay. It took some time to round up some images to post in this thread for some examples to show so I can try and explain the differences between male and female Australian Scribbled Angelfish-
Chaetodontoplus duboulayi.
These incredible fish grow to just over 10.5" in length, and are normally found in shallow water (20 meters or less) on coral covered or rocky rubble habitats. The range of these fish is somewhat narrow, and they can be found in tropical water around the coasts of northern Australia, from northwest Western Australia, east to Queensland, up to the southern parts of Indonesia, as well as southern New Guinea.
In my opinion these fish are both sexually dimorphic and sexually dichromatic, as mature Males can be distinguished from Females by their coloration and a few key features. This species appear to mature when they reach 5-6" in length, as some of the male characteristics start to become visible.
Female
Chaetodontoplus duboulayi:
These fish are normally very dark blue to purple coloration with a pale yellow and blue/purple peppered spotting pattern on the sides of the fish that run through the caudal peduncle (base of the tail). The caudal (tail) fin is more rounded and is solid yellow in coloration with clear margins at the edge.
Male
Chaetodontoplus duboulayi:
Mature males are normally vivid blue, with fine horizontal stripes running down the length of the body. The caudal peduncle (base of the tail) is yellow with fine dark blue and orange spots. The caudal fin is bright yellow with fine orange spots, with the upper and lower lobes being pointed.
Below are some examples of Male and Female Scribbled Angelfish:
Young Female:
Young Male:
Mature Female:
Mature Male:
Happy Fishkeeping!
