Nahacky's angelfish (Centropyge nahackyi)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Centropyge nahackyi · Authority: Kosaki, 1989 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 278844.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278844 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 9 cm · Depth range: 25–75 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Inhabits seaward slopes (Ref. 9710). Benthopelagic over rock, rubble and coral (Ref. 58302). Forms groups on bottoms with rubble (Ref. 9710).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 25425) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Centropyge-nahackyi.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Centropyge nahackyi Kosaki, 1989 as Near Threatened (code NT). 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 165823) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165823/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2396540) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2396540/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Centropyge nahackyi are known for their bright and vibrant colors which are highly valuable in aquarium trading.

Centropyge nahackyi are characterized by their small mouth located in the front of their head. Its jaw teeth are slender, elongated, and broadly rounded, and positioned closely together. This allows them to have flexibility when it comes to jaw movements. Notably, there are no teeth on the roof of its mouth.

Their tongues are short and rounded. Centropyge nahackyi has a head profile that resembles a "bispinosa" complex, with the area above its eyes becoming more concave as it grows. With a dark body, Centropyge nahackyi displays a blue and brown color on the back of its tail. It carries color patterns such as black and blue nape bars, yellow thorax, and a yellow tail base.

Centropyge nahackyi stands apart visually from similar species due to consistent and noticeable differences. These variations are from the gently sloping patterns that it possesses, giving this fish a unique appearance.

Centropyge nahackyi are native to Johnston Atoll, but from research around the Hawaiian Islands, scientists discovered a single specimen around the islands. This finding could be a waif discovery, or a stray occurrence of C. nahackyi.

Centropyge nahackyi is primarily found in environments with deep reefs that consist of eroded limestone. Centropyge nahackyi can be found in depths of 41–70 meters. They have a maximum abundance of 0.12 per meter squared.

In the aquarium trade, due to its vibrant colors, Centropyge nahackyi can be sold for thousands of U.S dollars.

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