Dusky angelfish (Centropyge multispinis)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Centropyge multispinis · Authority: (Playfair, 1867) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 211774.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Centropyge multispinus (Playfair, 1867); Centropyge somervilli Regan, 1905; Holacanthus multispinis Playfair, 1867.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=211774 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 14 cm · Depth range: 1–30 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Most abundant species of the genus Centropyge in the Indian Ocean(Ref. 90102).Inhabits coral rich and rubble areas of lagoon and seaward reefs.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 6549) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Centropyge-multispinis.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

715 georeferenced occurrence records for Centropyge multispinis are published through GBIF from 26 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 131 distinct locations from a sample of 715 records, omitting 12 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: Seychelles (135); South Africa (117); Egypt (90); India (49); Maldives (49); Comoros (39); Mozambique (39); Réunion (37); French Southern Territories (31); British Indian Ocean Territory (24); Madagascar (21); Kenya (16); Tanzania, United Republic of (13); Mayotte (12); Saudi Arabia (11).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Kenyan Exclusive Economic Zone; Seychellois Exclusive Economic Zone; Tanzanian Exclusive Economic Zone; South Africa (country); East Africa; Aldabra; Red Sea; Mauritian Exclusive Economic Zone; Madagascar; Réunion Exclusive Economic Zone; Comoran Exclusive Economic Zone; Chagos; Cargados Carajos.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2396554) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2396554&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=211774 (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 multispinis (Playfair, 1867) 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 165876) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165876/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2396554) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2396554/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Centropyge multispinis has a body which has a dusky background colour marked with black vertical bars along he flanks. The rear dorsal and anal fins have bright blue margins. The dorsal fin contains 14 spines and 15-17 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 16-17 soft rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 14 cm.

Centropyge multispinis is found in the northern and western Indian Ocean. It is found on the eastern coast of Africa including the Red Sea and across the Indian Ocean to Thailand and Sumatra. Its presence in Madagascar has to be confirmed and there is a record from Darwin, Northern Territory, which possibly represents a misidentification.

Centropyge multispinis is found at depths between 1 and 30 m where. It occurs copper areas of rubble in the vicinity of coral reefs, although it may also be found in lagoon reefs and outer reef slopes. In the Indian Oceanthis is one of the commonest species of angelfish.

Its diet is made up of algae and detritus. This species is a protogynous hermaphrodite and has the ability to change sex from female to male. When there is no male present one of the females will change into a male.

Centropyge multispinis was first formally described in 1867 by the Scottish naturalist Lambert Playfair (1828-1899) with the type locality given as Zanzibar. The specific name, multispinis, refers to the 2-4 spines on the interoperculum. Some authorities place this species in the subgenus Centropyge.

Centropyge multispinis is infrequently available in the aquarium trade.

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