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Joculator angelfish (Centropyge joculator) — Pomacanthidae

Joculator angelfish

Centropyge joculator
Family: Pomacanthidae

The Joculator angelfish (Centropyge joculator) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
8.0–70.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel)
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Joculator angelfish is a dwarf angelfish (Pomacanthidae) from waters around the Cocos and Christmas Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 9 cm. It is orange-yellow with a blue band across the forehead and blue 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 Joculator angelfish?

The Joculator angelfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Joculator angelfish live?

The Joculator angelfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel)

How big does the Joculator angelfish get?

The Joculator angelfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Joculator angelfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Joculator 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 Joculator angelfish edible?

Yes, the Joculator angelfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Joculator angelfish (Centropyge joculator) — Pomacanthidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Jens Sommer-Knudsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Joculator angelfish (Centropyge joculator) — Pomacanthidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Karen Willshaw, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Joculator angelfish (Centropyge joculator) — Pomacanthidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Jokuyken15 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Joculator angelfish (Centropyge joculator) — Pomacanthidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) pgkaestner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Joculator angelfish sourced
Scientific name
Centropyge joculator
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Cocos pygmy angelfish; Yellowhead angelfish; Cocos angelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
8.0 verified
Max depth (m)
70.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel) 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

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