Centropyge nigriocellus Woods & Schultz, 1953
Blackspot angelfish
Centropyge nigriocellus
photo by Pyle, R.L.

Family:  Pomacanthidae (Angelfishes)
Max. size:  6 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 4 - 15 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: patchy distribution, from Johnston Atoll to the Society Islands, also reported from the Mariana and Admiralty Islands. Recently reported from OuvĂ©a Atoll, Loyalty Islands (Ref. 13236).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-15; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 15-15. This species is distinguished by the following: lacrymal bone has 2 stout spines; 18 gill rakers; 2 dark blotches, one at the pectoral fin base and the other at the posterior basis of the dorsal fin; absence of dark patch above the pectoral fin (Ref. 53274). Body depth 1.9-2.0 in SL. Scales longitudinal series 44 (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits dead coral and rubble reefs in clear lagoons and exposed seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Extremely cryptic; never seen by divers except poison stations. Feeds on algae. Never exported through the aquarium trade (Ref. 48391).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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