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Flame angelfish (Centropyge loriculus) — Pomacanthidae

Flame angelfish

Centropyge loriculus
Family: Pomacanthidae

The Flame angelfish (Centropyge loriculus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–60.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Cook Is., Fiji, Tahiti, Tuamotu Is. and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Flame angelfish is a dwarf angelfish (Pomacanthidae) from the central and western Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm. It is fiery red-orange with a few black vertical bars and blue rear fin margins. As a reef-dweller it grazes algae and bottom growth on coral and rocky reefs and bears a sharp spine on the gill cover. Like many angelfish it changes sex. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flame angelfish?

The Flame angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Flame angelfish live?

The Flame angelfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Cook Is., Fiji, Tahiti, Tuamotu Is. and others

How big does the Flame angelfish get?

The Flame angelfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Flame angelfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Flame angelfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Flame angelfish edible?

Yes, the Flame angelfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Flame angelfish (Centropyge loriculus) — Pomacanthidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) mikescotland99, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Flame angelfish (Centropyge loriculus) — Pomacanthidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Pauline Fey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Flame angelfish (Centropyge loriculus) — Pomacanthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Pauline Fey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Flame angelfish (Centropyge loriculus) — Pomacanthidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Emőke Dénes (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Flame angelfish sourced
Scientific name
Centropyge loriculus
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Flame angelfish; Flaming angelfish; Japanese pygmy angelfish; Flame angel verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Cook Is., Fiji, Tahiti, Tuamotu Is. and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

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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