Coral Beauty/Twospined Angelfish

ANIMAL:
Coral Beauty/Twospined Angelfish Centropyge bispinosa

Type of Animal:
Marine Angelfish

Habitat:
Coral reefs, lagoons, seaward coral reef slopes, coral-rich lagoon slopes, coastal lagoon coral heads, outer reef slopes/faces, reef crevices, found in depths of 10-200 ft

Location(s):
Indo-Pacific

Appearance:
Deep royal blue to dark purple body/head, highlighted w/ iridescent orange/yellow/red striping w/ royal blue to purple areas intermingled, some forms bright orange-red, small angelfish, fish in deeper waters are paler

Food/Diet:
Algae, seaweed, detritus, vegetable matter, sponges, shrimp, amphipods, krill, squid, mussels, cockles. Tiny larvae eat phytoplankton.

Status in Wild:
Stable

Conservation:
Breeding in aquariums, aquaculture, & zoos. Captive breeding reducing demand for wild-caught fish.

Lifestyle:
Solitary or harems of a male w/ 2-6 females

Additional Info:

Called:
Male
Female
Young: Fry
Group: School
 
Weight:
Male: 3-4 oz
Female: 2-3 oz
 
Gestation:
18 hours 

Life Span:
8-10 years in captivity, 10-15 years in wild

Body Length:
Male: 2.5-4 in
Female: 2-3 in
Young: 1 in

Rather shy & secretive fish in wild.
 
Males extremely territorial & will fight to death w/ rival males. Females often show territoriality as well but not nearly as intensely as males.
 
Also called Dusky Angelfish.
 
These fish have a very high metabolism.
 
When fry hatch, they spend a month as microscopic larvae. Juvenile stage reached at 3-4 months old.
 
Sometimes hybridize w/ Shepard’s Pygmy Angelfish around Guam.
 
They’re broadcast spawners, releasing eggs/sperm simultaneously into water column.
 
Spawning typically occurs at dusk.
 
They’re rather active fish.
 
Single female can release thousands of eggs.
 
Skin mucus provides protection against parasites/infections as well as allowing them to move faster.

Fun Fact(s):
Like all marine angelfish, females can change sex to males. In this genus (Centropyge)-all born female w/ largest/most dominant females becoming males. If no male around, largest most dominant female will simply become male. Males that lose rank can revert to being female if more dominant male comes along. Sex change can last up to 2 months.
 
One of the easiest dwarf angelfish to keep.
 
Very popular with saltwater aquarium hobbyists.
 
Like many marine angelfish, they’re very difficult to breed in captivity.
Coral Beauty/Twospined Angelfish, stock photo

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