Bicolor Angelfish, scientifically named Centropyge bicolor, is a marine fish known for its distinctive appearance.
It has yellow color on the tail and front half of its body, while the rear part is blue with blue patterns around and above the eye.
Some other names for this angelfish include Pacific Rock Beauty, Oriole Angelfish, Oriole Dwarf Angel, Blue and Gold Angel, and Two-Colored Angel.
In the wild, the life expectancy of this fish varies depending on the location and ranges between 5 and 13 years.
Bicolor angelfish usually grow up to a maximum of 6 inches in length. The larval stage lasts for about 32 days.
These fish inhabit lagoons, channels, or protected seaward reef slopes, drop-offs, and coral and rubble areas.
They are typically found in pairs or small groups and feed on algae, small crustaceans, and worms.
Bicolor angelfish are known to dart from one hiding place to another.
They are commonly exported for the aquarium trade but should be considered reef-safe only with caution, as they may pose a risk to coral reefs in an aquarium environment.
Bicolor Angelfish Interesting Facts
- Bicolor angelfish have bright yellow color on the front half of their body and blue on the rear with blue patterns above and around their eye.
- These fish can live up to 5 to 13 years in the wild, depending on location, and tend to grow to a maximum length of only 6 inches.
- Bicolor angelfish is found in lagoons, channels, or protected seaward reef slopes, drop-offs, and coral and rubble areas. They usually hang out in pairs or small groups.
- Their diet consists mainly of algae, small crustaceans, and worms.
- You need to be cautious when keeping them in reef tanks.
Bicolor Angelfish Habitat
Bicolor angelfish is found in the Indo-Pacific region. Its habitat ranges from East Africa to the Samoan and Phoenix Islands, north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia, and throughout Micronesia.
This marine fish lives in reef environments and doesn’t migrate.
It can be found at depths between 1 and 25 meters (about 3 to 82 feet) and thrives in tropical climates.
It’s typically found in areas with latitudes between 35° North and 30° South and longitudes between 30° East and 125° West.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Bicolor Angelfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 5.9 inches (15.0 centimeters)
Bicolor angelfish can grow up to 15 cm (about 5.9 inches) in length.
The maximum reported age for this fish is 13 years. It has 15 dorsal spines, 15 to 17 soft dorsal rays, 3 anal spines, and 17 to 18 soft anal rays.
Both young and adults have a distinctive coloration that makes them easily recognizable.
The head and front half of the body are yellow, with a blue blotch over the eye.
The back half of the body and tail are blue, while the caudal fin (tail fin) is yellow.
The body depth of this fish is 1.8 to 2.2 times smaller than its length, and it has 46 to 48 scales in its longitudinal series.
Bicolor Angelfish Reproduction
Bicolor angelfish is a pelagic spawner, meaning it reproduces by releasing eggs and sperm into the open water.
This fish can undergo gender reversal, which takes about 18 to 20 days to complete.
Bicolor Angelfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Pomacanthidae |
| Genus: | Centropyge |
| Scientific Name: | Centropyge bicolor |
| Also Known As: | Bicolor Angelfish, Pacific Rock Beauty, Oriole Angelfish, Oriole Dwarf Angel, Blue and Gold Angel, and Two-Colored Angel |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |