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Angelfish (Centropyge bicolor) — Pomacanthidae

Angelfish

Centropyge bicolor
Family: Pomacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Angelfish (Centropyge bicolor) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–25.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; lagoon and seaward reef slopes and drop-offs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The bicolor angelfish is a small angelfish of the family Pomacanthidae from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a strikingly two-coloured body: the front half and tail are bright yellow, the rear half deep blue, with a blue band over the head. It inhabits lagoon, channel and sheltered seaward reef slopes, drop-offs and coral and rubble areas. As an omnivore it grazes algae and growth, supplemented with small invertebrates. Dwarf angelfishes are protogynous hermaphrodites: they start as females and can later become males, often living in harem groups. The species is popular in the marine aquarium and harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Angelfish?

The Angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Bright yellow front half and deep blue rear half; protogynous hermaphrodite that lives in small harem groups.

Where does the Angelfish live?

The Angelfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific; lagoon and seaward reef slopes and drop-offs.

How big does the Angelfish get?

The Angelfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Angelfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Angelfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Angelfish edible?

The Angelfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Angelfish (Centropyge bicolor) — Pomacanthidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Ssalmenkivi at English Wikipedia (CC BY 3.0)
Angelfish (Centropyge bicolor) — Pomacanthidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Angelfish (Centropyge bicolor) — Pomacanthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Francois Libert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Angelfish (Centropyge bicolor) — Pomacanthidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) John Sear, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Angelfish verified
Scientific name
Centropyge bicolor
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Bicolor angelfish; Black and gold angel-fish; Blue & gold angelfish; Blue and gold angelfish; Two coluored angelfish; Two-colored angelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific; lagoon and seaward reef slopes and drop-offs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and biofilm, supplemented with small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
13.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bright yellow front half and deep blue rear half; protogynous hermaphrodite that lives in small harem groups. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Centropyge

More from the family Pomacanthidae

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