Bicolor Angelfish, Centropyge bicolor (Bloch, 1787)

Introduction

The Bicolor Angelfish is a tropical marine water fish, which is commonly seen singly, in pairs or in small aggregations. They inhabit rubbly areas in lagoons and on reef slopes.

Identification

Bicolor Angelfish are yellow anteriorly and blue posteriorly. There is a blue bar above the eyes and the caudal fin is yellow.

Angelfishes are related to the butterflyfishes (Family Chaetodontidae). The Angelfishes have a distinctive preopercular spine that is lacking in the butterflyfishes.

Habitat

Bicolor Angelfish inhabit rubbly areas in lagoons and on reef slopes. They use crevices in the reef for shelter. The species is commonly seen singly, in pairs or in small aggregations.

It is found in depths from 3 m to 25 m.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Western Pacific, from Malaysia, north to Japan, south to Australia and east to Fiji.

In Australia it is known from the north-western coast of Western Australia around the tropical north of the country, and south to northern New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Feeding and diet

The Bicolor Angelfish feeds on algae, small crustaceans and worms close to the bottom.

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 220.
2. Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & M. Allen. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. Pp. 250.
3. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 251.