Centropyge joculator

Centropyge joculator
Image of Centropyge joculator
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Division: Teleostei
Order: Acanthuriformes
Family: Pomacanthidae
Genus: Centropyge
Species:
C. joculator
Binomial name
Centropyge joculator
(William F. Smith-Vaniz & John E. Randall, 1974)

Centropyge joculator, commonly known as the joculator angelfish, yellow head angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is found in the central Pacific Ocean. [1]

Description

Centropyge joculator is a brightly colored angelfish that resembles the bicolor angelfish (Centropyge bicolor) but lacks the distinguishing vertical blue bar above the eye. In contrast, the joculator angelfish sports a blue ring around its eyes and the same electric blue coloration traces a thin outline along the edges of its dorsal and anal fins. This fish attains a maximum length of 9 centimetres (3.5 in).[2]

Distribution

Centropyge joculator is found only in the Christmas Islands and Cocos-Keeling Islands in the Eastern Indian Ocean.[3]

Habitat and biology

Centropyge joculator is found at depths between 10 and 70 metres (33 and 230 ft).[4] This species lives in areas of rock, coral or rubble on seaward reefs. Juveniles are occasionally recorded in waters as shallow as 5 metres (16 ft). It is a benthopelagic species which feeds on algae and detritus. They may live in small social groups, harems with a single male and up to 4 females. They are protogynous hermaphrodites and if no male is present the dominant female will change sex.

References

  1. ↑ Dr. Burgess's Atlas of Marine Aquarium Fishes p. 351 Dr-Burgess-s-Atlas-of-Marine-Aquarium-Fishes#page=357
  2. ↑ https://fishbase.se/summary/10997
  3. ↑ https://fishbase.se/summary/10997
  4. ↑ Allen, G. R. "Butterfly and angelfishes of the world, vol. 2, 352 p." Aquarium Systems, Mentor, OH (1985).