The Yellow Highfin Spinytail, also known as the Golden Dangler, Yellow Triangle, Triangle Inverted Dangler, and Yellow Triangle Dangler, is a prominent and popular ornamental fish.
It is characterized by its long, prominent muzzle, steep forehead, high dorsal fin, and uniform bright yellow head and body.
This species is distributed in the Hawaiian waters of the western Pacific Ocean and is mainly active in areas with abundant coral reefs, where it feeds on organic matter and algae on the reefs.
As an herbivorous, dioecious, and tropical reef fish, the Yellow Highfin Spinytail has become a high-frequency trade species second only to the male clownfish in the international saltwater ornamental fish trade.
They are almost entirely bright yellow with narrow dark edges on the pectoral fins and live in subtropical reef waters where they feed on macroalgae such as filamentous algae and also prey on zooplankton.
Juveniles are usually found in specific areas and only begin to roam the wider reef waters when they reach maturity. Mature Yellow Highfin Spinytail are usually solitary but will also move in small, loose groups.
The large number of wild stocks being fished has aggravated the crisis of fishery resources of this precious species. Exploring the captive breeding technology of the Yellow Highfin Spinytail is of great significance to protect the wild population and guarantee the prosperity of the market of this type of marine ornamental fish.
The Yellow Highfin Spinytail has a flattened side and oval shape, with long and broad umbrella-shaped dorsal and caudal fins, and an apricot-yellow body. It is loved by marine ornamental fish breeders for its bright color and lovely form.
As of 2009, the annual catch of Yellow Highfin Spinytail has exceeded 500,000 individuals per year. Eighty percent of the Yellow Highfin Spinytail currently traded in the market is harvested from the west coast of the island of Hawaii, where it is found primarily on the islands of Hawaii and Oahu.
The large number of wild stocks being harvested has exacerbated the fishery crisis for this valuable species, and the state of Hawaii established a special marine reserve in 1999 to manage this fishery.
Yellow Highfin Spinytail parents are mostly caught in the wild in the Hawaiian Islands, and wild-caught Yellow Highfin Spinytail is usually punctured through the swim bladder for venting and decompression to prevent decompression injuries.
These decompression wounds typically heal within about a month. The typical sexually mature and spawning female Yellow Highfin Spinytail is about 80-90 mm in length. However, females as small as 64 mm in length have been reported to have spawned on Oahu.
The average length of a Yellow Highfin Spinytail caught in the wild in the West Hawaiian Islands is estimated to be around 61 mm.
Yellow Highfin Spinytail need to be cultured in larger incubators due to their special habits, which helps to maintain their survival rate. Parental fish culture tanks should be equipped with filter cotton yarn, ultraviolet sterilization equipment, water circulation equipment, and air stone oxygen supply equipment.
Water changes should be carried out once a week, with each water change not exceeding 20% of the total water volume. The corresponding shelter should also be placed as a habitat for parental fish.
The Yellow Highfin Spinytail is a unique and highly sought-after ornamental fish. With the ongoing threat of overfishing and the depletion of wild stocks, it is crucial to explore and develop captive breeding technology to protect this precious species and ensure the sustainability of its market.
