Monsoon Aquatics has collected a striking Lemonpeel hybrid angel with a spotted tail. Lemonpeel hybrids usually come from the Pacific Islands but this one was collected on the Great Barrier Reef. We asked Monsoon’s Dan Boserio and Mark Tate for more information:
“The collector was Owen Schubert and it was collected at Channel Reef, 40 km east of Cairns at a depth of 6 meters,” said Dan. “These are uncommon on the Great Barrier Reef as Centropyge flavissima is an uncommon species in general for this region.”
“If you were to dive the Pacific islands from Micronesia in the north to Tonga in the south, they are a very common species and Hybrids are commonplace.”
“We probably see 5-10 hybrids a year come through our facility but this one is a particularly nice specimen as its dark tail markings seem to show a spotted pattern through it which I’ve not seen in 30 years plus of being in the industry.”
“Lemonpeel hybrids are generally a variation of black/grey or dusky markings on the tail,” added Mark. “With each variation, it is noticeable, but only enough to warrant maybe a “cool” or “that’s different”, but not enough to stop and think “Wow, that’s spectacular!”
“Hybridization (the product of offspring from two different and often closely related species), while not as uncommon as was once thought with over 173 species of coral reef fish that are known to hybridize and 48% of angelfish having the ability to hybridize, but it is still a lottery when you think of everything that needs to happen for these happy accidents to make it to adulthood.”
“There needs to be the fertilization of an egg of two differing species of angelfish, the fry needs to survive predation and all the other trials and tribulations of being a fish on the reef, and the luck of the diver to both see and collect the fish!”
“What makes this one so special is the distinct markings. Most hybrids of Centropyge flavissima species are very non-descript. Often very minor mutations of color patterns are passed down from each species, and you would not notice most from across the room. This specimen, however, catches your eye from every angle and would be the prize fish of many an aquarist.”
Photo credit Mark Tate, Monsoon Aquatics
