Species profile—Centropyge vroliki (pearlscale angelfish)
Classification
Animalia (animals) → Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) → Pomacanthidae (anglefishes) → Centropyge vroliki (pearlscale angelfish)
Sighting data
Species details
- Kingdom
- Animalia (animals)
- Class
- Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
- Family
- Pomacanthidae (anglefishes)
- Scientific name
- Centropyge vroliki (Bleeker, 1853)
- Common name
- pearlscale angelfish
- WildNet taxon ID
- 32130
- Conservation significant
- No
- Wetland status
- Wetland Dependant Species
- Endemicity
- Native
- Pest status
- Nil
- Description
- The pearlscale angelfish has a brown to grey-green head (first two-thirds of the body) and a black rear (last third of the body). The anal fin, tail fin and rear of the back fin have blue margins. The eye, pectoral fin base behind the gills, and gill cover margin are orange. They grow to 12cm in length.
- Distribution
- The species is found in the tropical marine waters of the Indo-west Pacific, from Christmas Island throughout south-east Asia and Micronesia, north to Japan, south to Australia and east to the Marshall Islands. In Australia it is known from Scott Reef, Ashmore and Cartier Islands off north-western Western Australia, and from Raine Island in the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, south to the central coast of New South Wales, and Lord Howe Island, Arrawarra, Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs, Tasman Sea.
- Distributional limits
- 0, 0
0, 0 - Species environment
- Marine
- Habitat
- The species inhabits coral reefs and inshore waters. They are most common on rock or rubble bottoms of offshore reef slopes and lagoons, especially those with rich algal and sponge fauna. This fish is found in depths from 1-25m.
- Behaviour
- Male angelfish defend their territory by driving away other male competitors. This is performed in order to maintain access to a mate. Like many angelfish species, the pearlscale angelfish probably seeks shelter in caves or coral crevices.
- Reproduction
- For many species of angelfish, spawning (mating) occurs at dusk. Usually a single pair, although sometimes a small group, will congregate off the ocean bottom. When a female arrives nearby, the male performs a courtship display. This involves erecting his fins and swimming rapidly back and forth. Then the male and female swim spiralling toward the surface, where they simultaneously shed eggs and sperm, before returning to the ocean bottom. The eggs are less than 1mm in diameter and hatch 15-20 hours later.
- Diet
- The pearlscale angelfish feeds on algae and sponges.
- Notes
- Contributors: Mellisa Mayhew 16/10/2008; Wayne Martin 09/11/2008
- References
- Egerton, L. (ed.) (2005). Encyclopedia of Australian Wildlife, (Revised Edition). Readers Digest Pty Ltd, Sydney.
Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. (2006). Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia, Volume 35.2, p. 1305. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood.
Parkinson, K. & McGrouther, M. (2003). Find a Fish: Pearl-scaled Angelfish, Centropyge vroliki (Bleeker, 1853). Australian Museum, Sydney, accessed 16/10/2008, [http://www.austmus.gov.au/fishes/fishfacts/fish/cvroliki.htm]. - Profile author
- Mellisa Mayhew (09/11/2008)
Other resources
Data source
This profile data is sourced from the QLD Wildlife Data API using the Get species by ID function used under CC-By 4.0.
https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species/?op=getspeciesbyid&taxonid=32130.
This information is sourced from the WildNet database managed by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.
