# Centropyge loriculus

The Centropyge loriculus, also known as the Pacific pygmy angelfish, is a small, colorful fish that loves to swim around coral reefs. They are bright and cheerful, making them a favorite in aquariums!

- **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Coral reefs
- **Also known as:** Lemon Peel Angelfish, Pacific Pygmy Angelfish

![Centropyge loriculus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Centropyge_loricula_aquarium.JPG&width=800)

Photo: KoS, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Centropyge_loricula_aquarium.JPG)

## Appearance

The Centropyge loriculus has a vivid fiery orange-red body adorned with four to five vertical black bars. Its dorsal, anal, and caudal fins often feature stunning iridescent blue edges, making it a true underwater jewel.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Actinopterygii
- **Order:** Perciformes
- **Family:** Pomacanthidae
- **Genus:** Centropyge

## Interesting facts

- Flame Angelfish often live in small groups called harems with one male leader.
- Their bright colors also help them blend into the colorful coral reefs they call home!
- These tiny fish can actually change their gender from female to male!
- They hide within coral branches and rocky nooks to sleep safely at night.

## Special abilities

- **Reef Navigator:** Centropyge loriculus can expertly dart through complex coral structures because of its agile, compressed body.
- **Algae Grazer:** Centropyge loriculus has special brush-like teeth that help them scrape algae off rocks, keeping the reef clean.
- **Color Communicator:** Centropyge loriculus uses its vibrant colors to signal to other fish and establish its territory on the reef.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 6-10 cm
- **Weight:** 0.01-0.05 kg
- **Lifespan:** 5-7 years
- **Swim Speed:** 8 km/h
- **Maximum Depth:** 60 m
- **Water Type:** Saltwater

## Diet & Feeding

They primarily graze on algae, helping keep coral reefs healthy and clean for everyone.

- **Primary Foods:** filamentous algae, detritus, tiny invertebrates
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Leopard Coral Grouper (*Plectropomus leopardus*) — A common predator on tropical reefs.
- **Shelter:** Staghorn Coral (*Acropora cervicornis*) — Provides crucial hiding spots and protection.
- **Eats:** Turtle Weed (*Chlorodesmis fastigiata*) — Feeds on this common filamentous algae.

## Traits

- [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
- [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
- [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.

## Collections

- [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always watch fish from a distance and never try to touch them in the water.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Centropyge loriculus?

Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Centropyge loriculus?

6-10 cm

### How much does Centropyge loriculus weigh?

0.01-0.05 kg

### How long does Centropyge loriculus live?

5-7 years

### What does Centropyge loriculus eat?

They primarily graze on algae, helping keep coral reefs healthy and clean for everyone.

### How fast can Centropyge loriculus swim?

8 km/h

### Where is Centropyge loriculus usually found?

Coral reefs

### How does Centropyge loriculus hunt?

Foraging

## More Fish

- [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*)
- [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*)
- [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*)
- [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*)

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Source: [Centropyge loriculus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/centropyge-loriculus)