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Golden angelfish (Centropyge heraldi) — Pomacanthidae

Golden angelfish

Centropyge heraldi
Family: Pomacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Golden angelfish (Centropyge heraldi) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–90.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; steep outer reef slopes.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Herald's angelfish is a dwarf angelfish (Pomacanthidae) from the western Pacific. The species is small and entirely bright yellow; males sometimes have a dark tinge behind the eye. It inhabits steep outer reef slopes and occasionally lagoon reefs. As a mainly plant-eating fish it grazes algae and growth from the reef. Like other angelfishes it bears a spine on the gill cover, but it is not venomous. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden angelfish?

The Golden angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Entirely bright yellow small dwarf angelfish; algae grazer of steep reef slopes with a non-venomous opercular spine.

Where does the Golden angelfish live?

The Golden angelfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific; steep outer reef slopes.

How big does the Golden angelfish get?

The Golden angelfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Golden angelfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Golden angelfish edible?

The Golden angelfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Golden angelfish (Centropyge heraldi) — Pomacanthidae — 2
Yi-Kai Tea (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Golden angelfish (Centropyge heraldi) — Pomacanthidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Golden angelfish (Centropyge heraldi) — Pomacanthidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Claire Goiran, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Golden angelfish (Centropyge heraldi) — Pomacanthidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Claire Goiran, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Golden angelfish verified
Scientific name
Centropyge heraldi
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Golden angelfish; Herald's angelfish; Yellow angelfish; Woodhead's angelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 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)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
90.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific; steep outer reef slopes. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and biofilm from the reef 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 bright yellow small dwarf angelfish; algae grazer of steep reef slopes with a non-venomous opercular spine. 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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