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Dusky angel-fish (Centropyge nox) — Pomacanthidae

Dusky angel-fish

Centropyge nox
Family: Pomacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Dusky angel-fish (Centropyge nox) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–70.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; coral-rich outer reef slopes.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The midnight angelfish is a dwarf angelfish (Pomacanthidae) from the western Pacific. The species is entirely deep velvety black, to which the name refers. It is common in coral-rich parts of outer reef slopes and is occasionally seen in lagoons and passages, usually in places with rich coral growth into which it darts when threatened. It grazes on algae and picks small invertebrates. Like many angelfishes it is a protogynous hermaphrodite. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dusky angel-fish?

The Dusky angel-fish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly black and shows a plain pattern. Entirely deep velvet black; coral-dwelling dwarf angelfish, protogynous hermaphrodite.

Where does the Dusky angel-fish live?

The Dusky angel-fish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific; coral-rich outer reef slopes.

How big does the Dusky angel-fish get?

The Dusky angel-fish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Dusky angel-fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Dusky angel-fish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Dusky angel-fish edible?

The Dusky angel-fish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Dusky angel-fish (Centropyge nox) — Pomacanthidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Dusky angel-fish (Centropyge nox) — Pomacanthidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Dusky angel-fish (Centropyge nox) — Pomacanthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dusky angel-fish (Centropyge nox) — Pomacanthidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Dusky angel-fish verified
Scientific name
Centropyge nox
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Midnight angelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Black 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)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
70.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific; coral-rich outer reef slopes. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Entirely deep velvet black; coral-dwelling dwarf angelfish, protogynous hermaphrodite. 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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