flaming angelfish (Centropyge loricula)

Centropyge loricula
(flaming angelfish)
Marine Fishes
Native Transplant

Collection Info
Point Map
Species Profile
Animated Map

Jack Randall, Bishop Museum, Hawaii © Copyright Info

Centropyge loricula (Günther, 1874)

Common name: flaming angelfish

Synonyms and Other Names: flame angelfish

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Randall (2005) describes this species as brilliant orange-red in color, shading to orange-yellow in the middle of the body, typically with a vertically elongate black spot behind the pectoral fin and 5 black bars on rest of body; small black spots often present on the dorsal fin; dorsal and anal fins bright orange-red, the posterior part is black with blue or purple streaks; caudal fin with light orange-yellow rays and transparent membranes; and the pelvic fins orange-red. The horizontal blue streaks on the dorsal and anal fins are more pronounced in males (Allen et al. 1998).

Size: up to 10 cm total length (Randall 2005)

Native Range: Widespread scattered localities throughout the western Pacific from Palau to Marquesas, Hawaiian Islands, southward to the Great Barrier Reef. Most common in Palau, Caroline, Marshall, and Society Islands (Allen et al. 1998).

Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Nonindigenous Occurrences: Kane’ohe Bay, Hawaii (Mundy 2005)

Table 1. States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Centropyge loricula are found here.

State	First Observed	Last Observed	Total HUCs with observations†	HUCs with observations†
HI	2005	2005	1	Oahu

Table last updated 3/28/2025

† Populations may not be currently present.

Ecology: Centropyge loriculus inhabits rich coral areas on seaward and lagoonal reefs from 5-60 m deep (Allen et al. 1998). The species is herbivorous, feeding primarily on benthic algae and detritus (Randall 1996). It exhibits secretive behavior staying close to areas of shelter (Allen et al. 1998). Centropyge loriculus is a protogynous hermaphrodite, starting life as female and later changing sex to become a male (Randall 2005). Males of this species maintain a harem of two to several females in its territory (Randall 2005). Spawning typically occurs at dusk (Randall 2005). Maturity is reached in 1-2 years (Allen et al. 1998).

Means of Introduction: probable aquarium release

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

Remarks: Centropyge loriculus are very popular in the marine aquarium fish trade (Allen et al.1998, Wabnitz and Nahacky 2015).

Color patterns are often used as the diagnostic character to determine species within this genus. Most populations of Centropyge loriculus have the typical coloration with small black spots scattered across the dorsal and anal fins and is known as the ‘orange morph’ (Schultz et al. 2007). In Hawaii, this species is bright red with a reduced number of black markings and is referred to as the ‘red morph’ (Schultz et al. 2007). In the Marquesas Islands this species has almost no black coloration on the body and is known as the ‘Marquesan morph’ (Schultz et al. 2007). The color morph of the individual recorded from Hawaii in Kane’ohe Bay does not have the distinctive color pattern of the native Hawaiian ‘red morph’ suggesting possible aquarium release (Mundy 2005).

References: (click for full references)

Allen, G.R., R. Steene, and M. Allen. 1998. A guide to angelfishes and butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research, Australia.

Mundy, B. C. 2005. Checklist of Fishes of the Hawaiian Archipelago. Bishop Museum Bulletins in Zoology, Number 6.

Randall, J.E. 1996. Shore fishes of Hawaii. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

Randall, J.E. 2005. Reef and shore fishes of the South Pacific. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

Schultz, J.K., R.L. Pyle, E. DeMartini, and B.W. Bowen. 2007. Genetic connectivity among color morphs and Pacific archipelagos for the flame angelfish, Centropyge loriculus. Marine Biology 151:167-175.

Wabnitz, C. and T. Nchachy. 2015. Commercial aquarium fish stock assessment in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Noumea, New Caledonia. https://purl.org/spc/digilib/doc/qp9z7

Other Resources:

FishBase Summary

Author: Brown, M.E.

Revision Date: 9/13/2024

Peer Review Date: 1/1/1900

Citation Information:
Brown, M.E., 2025, Centropyge loricula (Günther, 1874): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=2591, Revision Date: 9/13/2024, Peer Review Date: 1/1/1900, Access Date: 3/28/2025

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.

Disclaimer:

Disclaimer: