Comet (Calloplesiops altivelis)

Scientific name: Calloplesiops altivelis Steindachner, 1903

The Comet (Calloplesiops altivelis) is a marine fish of the family Plesiopidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–26°C (75–79°F). Native range: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea and East Africa to Tonga and the Line Islands.

Comet care at a glance

Temperature: 24–26°C (75–79°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9. Head and body brownish black with small pale blue spots; vertical and pelvic fins dark orange-brown, with many small blue spots; blue ringed black ocellus above base of last 3 dorsal rays; yellow spots at base of upper caudal rays; pectoral rays bright yellow, fin membrane transparent.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Calloplesiops altivelis
Family: Plesiopidae (Roundheads)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 20.0
Depth range: 3–50 m (10–164 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 50 m, usually 3 - 45 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Tonga and the Line Islands.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec = 1,000)