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Potter's angel (Centropyge potteri) — Pomacanthidae

Potter's angel

Centropyge potteri
Family: Pomacanthidae
LC · Least Concern

The Potter's angel (Centropyge potteri) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacanthidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–138.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Hawaii (mainly)
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Potter's angelfish is a small marine angelfish occurring mainly around the Hawaiian Islands. The species grows to about 13 cm and has an orange body with fine blue-grey vertical lines and blue fin margins. On the gill cover it bears a strong spine, characteristic of angelfishes. As a reef-dweller it grazes algae and small invertebrates from rocks and coral. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite and often lives in harem groups. The fish appears in the reef aquarium. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Potter's angel?

The Potter's angel has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Orange with fine blue-grey stripes and an opercular spine; protogynous hermaphrodite

Where does the Potter's angel live?

The Potter's angel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Hawaii (mainly)

How big does the Potter's angel get?

The Potter's angel grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Potter's angel dangerous to humans?

No, the Potter's angel 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 Potter's angel edible?

The Potter's angel is not usually eaten.

More photos

Potter's angel (Centropyge potteri) — Pomacanthidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Potter's angel (Centropyge potteri) — Pomacanthidae — 3
Olie Turner III (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Potter's angel (Centropyge potteri) — Pomacanthidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — NOAA - James Watt (Public domain)
Potter's angel (Centropyge potteri) — Pomacanthidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Tony Wood, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Potter's angel verified
Scientific name
Centropyge potteri
Family
Pomacanthidae
Other names
Potter's angelfish; Potter's pygmy angelfish; Russet angelfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
138.0 verified
Natural range
Hawaii (mainly) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and small invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Reef-dwelling dwarf angelfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Orange with fine blue-grey stripes and an opercular spine; 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
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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