Coral Beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa
The twospined angelfish or dusky angelfish is one of the most popular home aquarium species due to its distinctive coloration. The head, dorsal, and caudal tails are bright blue or purple which transforms into shades of yellow, orange, and pink in the mid-body. A member of the Centropyge genus (Dwarf angelfish) that make up over 35% of the Pomacanthidae family of angelfish. Members of the genus are distinguished by coloration and location within their Western Pacific tropical habitat.
A common species in the coral reefs found in the Indo Pacific, they are listed as Least Concerned by the IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature). Successful development of captive breeding programs by the commercial aquarium industry has reduced pressure on the wild population.
Their primary food source is algae growth on coral reefs. By helping to control algae growth, they provide an important aid in the health of the reef ecosystem.
SPECIES IN DETAIL
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa
CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now
CLIMATE CHANGE:
At the Aquarium
The angelfish may be seen at the Babies exhibit on the second level of Pacific Visions.
Geographic Distribution
This angelfish is common in reefs of the Indo-Pacific region from Southern Japan to Australia.
Habitat
The coral beauty angelfish is found around coral and rocky reefs at depths of 5—50 meters (16—164 feet). By feeding on algae growth attached the coral, they aid in maintaining the health of the reefs. They use crevices within the reef for protection from larger predators.
Physical Characteristics
The coral beauty angelfish are distinguished by a small, orbital, compressed shape and distinct color pattern used as the primary separator of the various species in the Centropyge family. They have an upper head, body, and dorsal and caudal fins that are bright blue or purple which transform into shades of yellow, orange and pink at mid-body. Dorsal fins take on the colorations of the mid-body. Their large eyes aid them in detecting predators.
Size
Adults can reach 10 centimeters (4 inches).
Diet
They are omnivores, with their primary diet consisting of algae from coral reefs and plankton. When food is in short supply, they may also feed on worms or small crustaceans.
Reproduction
A hermaphroditic species, these angelfish are born female and live in small groups known as harems. The dominant females within the harem will change into a male and control the group. If at some later time a more dominant female develops, it will take over the male position and the other male will convert back to female.
Spawning occurs from December through May in the week prior to a full moon. The male will visit the females and swim around them in a courting gesture. A simultaneous release of eggs and sperm will occur. Fertilized eggs will float in the water column for up to eighteen hours before development into free swimming larvae. The larvae develop for approximately fifteen days to reach the juvenile stage.
There have been recent breakthrough developments in the captive breeding techniques by the commercial aquarium industry of this species which should reduce pressure on the wild population.
Behavior
These fish travel in groups made up of several females and one male. When the size of the group gets too large, a separate group will form with the dominant female converting to male. They can be mildly aggressive as a method to maintain control of the groups and to protect their feeding area from competing fish. There have been studies that indicate as the group size increases so does the aggressiveness within the groups. This aggressiveness can trigger the groups to split up. The coral and rocky reefs provide protection from the large number of predators of these small fish. After feeding during the day, they will move into the safety of the crevices that the reefs provide during the night.
Adaptation
The color pattern of the fish allows them to blend into their coral habitat for protection. Their small size has allowed them to find protection within the reefs from larger predators. They developed a beak-like mouth containing sharp teeth and strong jaw pressure to scrape algae off their coral and rocky habitats.
Longevity
These fish can live twelve to twenty-three years. Some recent studies indicate that water temperature may have an impact on longevity: warmer waters may shorten life expectancy.
Conservation
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) listed the coral beauty angelfish as Least Concerned. The development of captive breeding by the commercial aquarium trade has reduced the near-term pressure on the population. Long-term, the loss of coral habitat through climate change and coastal development may have a negative impact on the wild population. Through their diet of algae, these fish help to maintain the health of the coral reefs in the ecosystems where they reside.
Special Notes
These fish are one of the most popular home aquarium species due to their colorful appearance, availability and relative low cost. Successful commercial captive breeding of the species was first reported in 2016. Somewhat territorial in their habitat, they reside in groups known as harems with several females. The dominant female in the group converts to male. If a more dominant female develops within the group they will take over the male role and the previous male will convert back to female.
SPECIES IN DETAIL | Print full entry
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa
CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now
CLIMATE CHANGE:
The angelfish may be seen at the Babies exhibit on the second level of Pacific Visions.
This angelfish is common in reefs of the Indo-Pacific region from Southern Japan to Australia.
The coral beauty angelfish is found around coral and rocky reefs at depths of 5—50 meters (16—164 feet). By feeding on algae growth attached the coral, they aid in maintaining the health of the reefs. They use crevices within the reef for protection from larger predators.
The coral beauty angelfish are distinguished by a small, orbital, compressed shape and distinct color pattern used as the primary separator of the various species in the Centropyge family. They have an upper head, body, and dorsal and caudal fins that are bright blue or purple which transform into shades of yellow, orange and pink at mid-body. Dorsal fins take on the colorations of the mid-body. Their large eyes aid them in detecting predators.
Adults can reach 10 centimeters (4 inches).
They are omnivores, with their primary diet consisting of algae from coral reefs and plankton. When food is in short supply, they may also feed on worms or small crustaceans.
A hermaphroditic species, these angelfish are born female and live in small groups known as harems. The dominant females within the harem will change into a male and control the group. If at some later time a more dominant female develops, it will take over the male position and the other male will convert back to female.
Spawning occurs from December through May in the week prior to a full moon. The male will visit the females and swim around them in a courting gesture. A simultaneous release of eggs and sperm will occur. Fertilized eggs will float in the water column for up to eighteen hours before development into free swimming larvae. The larvae develop for approximately fifteen days to reach the juvenile stage.
There have been recent breakthrough developments in the captive breeding techniques by the commercial aquarium industry of this species which should reduce pressure on the wild population.
These fish travel in groups made up of several females and one male. When the size of the group gets too large, a separate group will form with the dominant female converting to male. They can be mildly aggressive as a method to maintain control of the groups and to protect their feeding area from competing fish. There have been studies that indicate as the group size increases so does the aggressiveness within the groups. This aggressiveness can trigger the groups to split up. The coral and rocky reefs provide protection from the large number of predators of these small fish. After feeding during the day, they will move into the safety of the crevices that the reefs provide during the night.
The color pattern of the fish allows them to blend into their coral habitat for protection. Their small size has allowed them to find protection within the reefs from larger predators. They developed a beak-like mouth containing sharp teeth and strong jaw pressure to scrape algae off their coral and rocky habitats.
These fish can live twelve to twenty-three years. Some recent studies indicate that water temperature may have an impact on longevity: warmer waters may shorten life expectancy.
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) listed the coral beauty angelfish as Least Concerned. The development of captive breeding by the commercial aquarium trade has reduced the near-term pressure on the population. Long-term, the loss of coral habitat through climate change and coastal development may have a negative impact on the wild population. Through their diet of algae, these fish help to maintain the health of the coral reefs in the ecosystems where they reside.
These fish are one of the most popular home aquarium species due to their colorful appearance, availability and relative low cost. Successful commercial captive breeding of the species was first reported in 2016. Somewhat territorial in their habitat, they reside in groups known as harems with several females. The dominant female in the group converts to male. If a more dominant female develops within the group they will take over the male role and the previous male will convert back to female.