Yellowtail Pygmy Angelfish

Yellowtail Pygmy Angelfish

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Centropyge flavicauda

Overview
Reef Compatible: With Caution 
Diet: Omnivore
Temperament: Docile
Origin: Eastern Asia 

Centropyge flavicauda, commonly known as the Pygmy Yellowtail Angelfish, is a delightful marine fish found in the Indo-Pacific region. Here are some key details about this charming species:

• Description: Centropyge flavicauda varies in color from deep blue to orange-brown. Its caudal fin is whitish to pale yellow and nearly transparent. Vivid blue margins adorn the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins, with additional blue streaks along the posterior edges of the dorsal and anal fins.
• Distribution: This species has a wide range across the Indo-Pacific. It can be found from the East African coast (Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania) across the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii, Johnston Atoll, and Tuamotu. Its range extends north to southern Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef. In Australia, it occurs at Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and various reefs off Western Australia and New South Wales.
• Habitat and Biology: Pygmy Yellowtail Angelfish inhabit depths between 3 and 60 meters (9.8 to 196.9 feet). They prefer coral-rich bottoms in channels, reef slopes, and areas with rubble. Often encountered in small groups, their diet primarily consists of algae, supplemented by worms and crustaceans. Interestingly, they are protogynous hermaphrodites, with dominant females changing sex if no male is present.

These little angelfish add a splash of color and elegance to reef environments!