TAXONOMY
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Pomacanthidae (Angelfishes)

Genus/species: Centropyge loricula

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Typically bright orange-red color;black blotch near the head and 4–5 black bars across the body; flaring caudal fin about half the body height. Orange-red dorsal and anal fins tipped in alternating purple-blue and black bands. Males are brighter and larger than females.

Max. length: 15 cm (6 in).

Centropyge loricula14041213549_e949c9ebca_k

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Found among tropical lagoons and coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Ocean. Depth from 15–60 m (45-180 ft).

DIET IN THE WILD: The Flame Angelfish feeds on algae and marine invertebrates associated with coral reefs.

REPRODUCTION: Like angelfish in general, this species begins life undifferentiated sexually, changes into females, and may develop into males with one or more females in a territorial harem. After a short mating ritual, male and female(s) rise in the water column to shed and fertilize gametes that develop within the plankton.

PREDATORS: C. loricula is preyed upon by many reef fishes.

IMG_0865

CONSERVATION: IUCN Least concern.

REMARKS: Members of the genus Centropyge are the dwarf or pygmy angelfishes. Territorial males may determine dominance by grappling with interlocked jaws, a behavior humans sometimes mistake for a fishy kiss.

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Philippine coral reef 2016

Ron’s flickr  https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/14041213549/in/album-72157625992053826/

Ron’s WordPress shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1c8

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/7814

EOL eol.org/pages/219464/details

Animal Diversity web animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Centropyge_loricu…

Taken on 1-28-14, 9-11-12,