Bicolor angelfish

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Bicolor angelfish
1 centropyge bicolor Bicolor angelfish.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Pomacanthidae
Genus: Centropyge
Species:
C. bicolor
Binomial name
Centropyge bicolor
(Bloch, 1787)
Synonyms [2]

Chaetodon bicolorBloch, 1787

The bicolor angelfish (Centropyge bicolor) is a marine species of fish, easily recognizable by its yellow tail, yellow front half of their body, and blue rear with blue patterns above and around the eye. Other names of this angelfish include: Pacific rock beauty, oriole angelfish, oriole dwarf angel, blue and gold angel, and two-colored angel. [3] The life expectancy in the wild varies greatly, depending on location, and ranges between 5 and 13 years. [4] These fish tend to grow to a maximum of 6 inches in length.[ citation needed ] The larval stages lasts approximately 32 days. [5]

Contents

Distribution and habitat

Feeding apparatus

The bicolor angelfish species is most commonly found in the Indo-Pacific region: including East Africa, southern Japan, Australia, and Fiji. [6] They live at a depth range from 1 to 25 meters, most commonly on reef slopes, coral areas, lagoons, and near drop-off areas. [2]

Ecology

A typical bicolor angelfish diet consists of small crustaceans, such as brine and mysis shrimp, as well as tunicates, corals, sponges, worms, algae, and sometimes clams. [3] This is a non-migratory species that lives in harems with a single linear hierarchy based on size. [3] [7] Mature adults are identified based on size. Males and females have no color distinction.

Reproduction

Male bicolor angelfish visit the homes of females at dusk to mate. One male may visit one or multiple females per night to spawn. A female will scatter her eggs, and a male will release sperm that will fertilize the egg. [8] Females, however, can only spawn a maximum of once per day. Higher-ranking females have been found to spawn more frequently than lower-ranked females.

They live in harems, meaning several female share one male for mating. Most harems of this species consist of an average of 7 females, ranked in order of size, who mate with one male. The male is the dominant individual of the group, with each female decreasingly ranked based upon decreasing size. They are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning if the male is removed or dies, the highest ranking female will undergo a sex change. This sex change lasts 18–20 days total. [2]

Behavior

Centropyge bicolor tend to be moderately aggressive, both to members of other species and members of their own species—even their own group. The male spends most of his time guarding his territory from predators, intruding members of other species, but mostly against another harem. This territory tends to be a maximum of 200m2 and encompasses the home ranges of all females within the group. Females are only aggressive towards lower-ranking members of their own group, in order to maintain their current rank. [7]

In captivity C. bicolor have been observed to act as facultative cleaner fish. It seems unlikely that they show this behaviour in the wild. [9]

In aquaculture

Because bicolor angelfish are classified as aggressive fish, they require a larger tank size, at least 75 gallons. They do not survive well in captivity and are not well suited for a reef aquarium. [10] They are best suited for a tank consisting of coral, rocks and plants. [11] Tanks with the most hiding spaces are best, as they like to move from one hiding place to another. [12] The best water temperature for fish in captivity is typically between 72-78F. An optimal pH level is between 8.1 and 8.4. The level of care these fish require is moderate. [13] These fish will survive best if there are no other fish species present within the same tank. It is recommended that bicolor angelfish in captivity be fed algae, shrimps, worms, and spirulina flakes. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pomacanthidae</span> Family of fishes

Marine angelfish are perciform fish of the family Pomacanthidae. They are found on shallow reefs in the tropical Atlantic, Indian, and mostly western Pacific Oceans. The family contains seven genera and about 86 species. They should not be confused with the freshwater angelfish, tropical cichlids of the Amazon Basin.

<i>Centropyge</i> Genus of fishes

Centropyge is a genus of ray-finned fish, marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. These species do not exceed 15 cm in length and live in haremic structures with one dominant male and multiple females. Although it is hard to identify their gender; females are often shorter and more round finned. Like many other reef fish and all marine angelfish, the species in this genus are protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning that they start their adult lives as females and the dominant individual in a group can change to a male within days. A reversal of this sex change is possible if the social status of the individual changes, it is however a process that requires much more time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lemonpeel angelfish</span> Species of fish

The lemonpeel angelfish, also known as the yellow angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twospined angelfish</span> Species of fish

The twospined angelfish, also known as the dusky angelfish, or coral beauty, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. They are found in the Indo-Pacific.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orangeback angelfish</span> Species of fish

The orangeback angelfish, also known as the flameback angelfish, African pygmy angelfish and in South Africa as the Jumping Bean or Bean, is a species of ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is found in the western Indian Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Japanese angelfish</span> Species of fish

The Japanese angelfish or Japanese pygmy angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is found in the western Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bluering angelfish</span> Species of fish

The bluering angelfish, also known as the Annularis Angelfish and the Blue King Angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is member of the genus Pomacanthus, composed of large marine angelfish.

<i>Genicanthus</i> Genus of fishes

Genicanthus is a genus of marine angelfishes in the family Pomacanthidae. Known commonly as swallowtail or lyretail angelfish, these fishes are so-named for the distinctive shape of their tailfins. This genus of angels, in comparison to the other species found in hobby aquaria, are a good choice for beginners as they do not get nearly as large as some of the others. Another unique attribute is that swallowtail angels will tolerate each other and can be kept in pairs or as a single male with a harem, though it is typically best to add them to a tank at the same time. If added on by one, the angel which is added first may become aggressively territorial towards any new additions. Unlike others in the family Pomocanthidae, the angelfish species in the genus Genicanthus are generally considered to be reef safe. Also unlike most other members of the Pomacanthidae, those in Genicanthus are sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females are easily distinguishable. Fish in this species possess a small mouth relative to its size. This small mouth is well adapted for feeding on plankton in the water column. As planktivores, members of Genicanthus generally will not nip corals and sessile invertebrates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flame angelfish</span> Species of fish

The flame angelfish is a marine angelfish of the family Pomacanthidae found in tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean. Other common names include flame angel, flaming angelfish and Japanese pygmy angelfish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen angelfish</span> Species of marine angelfish

The queen angelfish, also known as the blue angelfish, golden angelfish, or yellow angelfish, is a species of marine angelfish found in the western Atlantic Ocean. It is a benthic warm-water species that lives in coral reefs. It is recognized by its blue and yellow coloration and a distinctive spot or "crown" on its forehead. This crown distinguishes it from the closely related and similar-looking Bermuda blue angelfish, with which it overlaps in range and can interbreed.

<i>Centropyge eibli</i> Species of fish

Centropyge eibli, the blacktail angelfish, red stripe angelfish, orangelined angelfish, or Eibl dwarf angel is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is found near reefs in the Indo-Pacific.

<i>Paracentropyge multifasciata</i> Species of fish

Paracentropyge multifasciata, the barred angelfish, banded pygmy-angelfish, many-banded angelfish, multi-banded angelfish or multibarred angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish, belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is native to the Indo-Pacific.

<i>Centropyge heraldi</i> Species of fish

Centropyge heraldi, the yellow angelfish or Herald's angelfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It comes from the Pacific Ocean and sometimes makes its way into the aquarium trade.

<i>Centropyge tibicen</i> Species of fish

Centropyge tibicen, the keyhole angelfish, black angelfish, whitespot angelfish or puller angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region.

<i>Centropyge multicolor</i> Species of fish

Centropyge multicolor, the multicolor angelfish or pearlback angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is from the Pacific Ocean that sometimes makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 9 cm in length.

<i>Centropyge potteri</i> Species of fish

Centropyge potteri, commonly known as the russet angelfish, Potter's angelfish or Potter's pygmy 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.

<i>Centropyge vrolikii</i> Species of fish

Centropyge vrolikii, known commonly as the pearlscale angelfish or half black angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is found in the Indo-Pacific.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cocos-Keeling angelfish</span> Species of fish

The Cocos-Keeling angelfish, or Colin's angelfish is a small species of ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is found in the Indo-West Pacific region.

Centropyge nox, known commonly as the midnight angelfish or dusky angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is found in the Western Pacific Ocean.

<i>Centropyge shepardi</i> Species of fish

Centropyge shepardi, the mango angelfish, Shepard’s angelfish or Shepard’s pygmy angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is found in the Western Pacific Ocean.

References

  1. ↑ Pyle, R.; Myers, R.F.; Rocha, L.A. (2010). "Centropyge bicolor". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010: e.T165902A6161394. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T165902A6161394.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Centropyge bicolor" in FishBase. December 2019 version.
  3. 1 2 3 Depriest, Brian, et al. “Bicolor Angelfish.” SaltwaterFish, 2 Aug. 2014, www.saltwaterfish.com/product-bicolor-angelfish-a
  4. ↑ Aldenhoven, J. M. (1986). "Local variation in mortality rates and life-expectancy estimates of the coral-reef fish Centropyge bicolor (Pisces: Pomacanthidae)". Marine Biology. 92 (2): 237–244. doi:10.1007/BF00392841.
  5. ↑ Thresher, Ronald E.; Brothers, Edward B. (1985). "Reproductive ecology and biogeography of indo-west pacific angelfishes (Pisces: Pomacanthidae)". Evolution. 39 (4): 878–887. doi: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.1985.tb00429.x .
  6. ↑ Herrera, M.; Saenz-Agudelo, P.; Nanninga, G. B.; Berumen, M. L. (2015). "Development of polymorphic microsatellite loci for conservation genetic studies of the coral reef fish Centropyge bicolor: microsatellite markers for Centropyge bicolor". Journal of Fish Biology. 87 (3): 748–753. doi:10.1111/jfb.12694.
  7. 1 2 Ang, Tzo Zen; Manica, Andrea (2010). "Benefits and costs of dominance in the angelfish Centropyge bicolor". Ethology. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.2010.01798.x.
  8. ↑ “Egg Scattering.” Fish Breeding Strategies, https://fishbreedingstrategies.weebly.com/egg-scattering.html
  9. ↑ Narvaez, Pauline; Morais, Renato A. (2020). "Filling an empty role: first report of cleaning by pygmy angelfishes (Centropyge, Pomacanthidae)". Galaxea, Journal of Coral Reef Studies. 22 (1): 31–36. doi: 10.3755/galaxea.22.1_31 .
  10. ↑ Animal-World. “Bicolor Angelfish.” Animal World, http://animal-world.com/encyclo/marine/angels/bicolor.php
  11. ↑ “Bicolor Angelfish.” Animal Planet, 15 May 2012, http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/bicolorangel/
  12. ↑ Centropyge bicolor (Bloch, 1787). Bicolor Angelfish. Discover Life, http://www.discoverlife.org/20/q?search=Centropyge+bicolor
  13. ↑ Centropyge bicolor – Bicolor Angelfish, http://www.marinecompatibilityguide.com/centropygebicolor
  14. ↑ “Bicolor Angelfish.” Bicolor Angelfish, http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/Marine-angelfish/Bicolor.php
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