Rusty angelfish (Centropyge ferrugata)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Acanthuriformes · Family: Pomacanthidae · Genus: Centropyge.

Accepted name: Centropyge ferrugata · Authority: Randall & Burgess, 1972 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 278834.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Centropyge ferrugatus Randall & Burgess, 1972.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278834 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Centropyge ferrugata. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 10 cm · Depth range: 6–30 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Inhabits seaward (Ref. 9710), rocky reefs and rubble areas, especially where algal growth is extensive (Ref. 47838). Solitary or in small groups (Ref. 47838). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35414).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 6667) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Centropyge-ferrugata.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

72 georeferenced occurrence records for Centropyge ferrugata are published through GBIF from 4 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 23 distinct locations from a sample of 72 records, omitting 2 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Japan (48); Philippines (14); Chinese Taipei (9); United States of America (1).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2396542) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2396542&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278834 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Centropyge ferrugata Randall & Burgess, 1972 as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 165849) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165849/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2396542) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2396542/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Centropyge ferrugata has a brownish-orange body marked with black spots on the upper flanks. The caudal, dorsal and anal fins have a bright blue margin. The dorsal fin contains 14 spines and 17 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 17-18 soft rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 10 cm.

Centropyge ferrugata is found in the western Pacific Ocean. Its range extends from Tanabe Bay southern Japan to southern Taiwan and the Philippines.

Centropyge ferrugata is found at depths between 6 and 30 m. They live on seaward rocky reefs and in areas of rubble, particularly with dense algal growth. The fish can be found living alone as a solitary species or living in small groups.

It is frequently observed grazing on mats of filamentous algae. It also eats detritus, coral polyps, sponges and small gastropods. This species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, the dominant female in a group will change sex if there is no male.

Centropyge ferrugata was first formally described in 1972 by John Ernest Randall (1924-2020) and Warren E. Burgess with the type locality given as a reef one half mile off the harbour of Ishigaki City, Ishigaki, Ryukyu Islands. Within the genus Centropyge this species is considered, by some authorities, to be in the subgenus Centropyge.

Centropyge ferrugata is found in the aquarium trade and it has been bred and successfully reared in captivity.

Source: Wikipedia: Centropyge ferrugata — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centropyge_ferrugata (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.