Russet angelfish (Centropyge potteri)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Centropyge potteri · Authority: (Jordan & Metz, 1912) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 278848.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Holacanthus potteri Jordan & Metz, 1912.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278848 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 12.5 cm · Depth range: 5–138 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Inhabit rock, coral, or rubble areas of seaward reefs; juveniles occasionally in 5 m (Ref. 9710). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feed on algae and detritus (Ref. 13550).

Oviparous (Ref. 240), monogamous (Ref. 52884). Peak reproductive activity occurs from mid-December through May. Spawn at dusk during the week before full moon (Ref. 4858).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 7812) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Centropyge-potteri.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

5,846 georeferenced occurrence records for Centropyge potteri are published through GBIF from 3 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 34 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 8 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: United States of America (5,603); United States Minor Outlying Islands (242); Australia (1).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2396492) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2396492&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278848 (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 potteri (Jordan & Metz, 1912) 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 165899) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165899/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2396492) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2396492/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Centropyge potteri''' has a bright orange body marked with thin vertical stripes which are blue to black in colour. The dorsal, caudal and anal fins have a vivid blue margin while the pectoral and pelvic fins are orange to bright yellow in colour.

The males have a wider area of blue in the middle of the body which extends down on to the belly. There is a deep water vivid blue colour morph in which the stripe are black or purple that has black to burgundy stripes, which occurs at depths below 60 m. This species attains a maximum total length of 10 cm.

Distribution

DistributionCentropyge potteri is found in the central Pacific Ocean where it is found around the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll.

Habitat and biologyCentropyge potteri is found at depths between 10 and 120 m. This species lives in areas of rock, coral or rubble on seaward reefs. Juveniles are occasionally recorded in waters as shallow as 5 m.

Habitat and biology

It is a benthopelagic species which feeds on algae and detritus. They may live in small social groups, harems with a single male and up to 8 females. They are protogynous hermaphrodites and if no male is present the dominant female will change sex.

Spawning takes place between December and May and usually occurs around nightfall. A spawning pair will select a high outcropping of rock in their territory to spawn over. The male initiates courtship by approaching the female and swimming alongside the female in a vertical position and using a smooth sinuous motion. He then moves to be above the female, halts, raises his dorsal and anal fin, starts to flutter the pectoral fins and makes a slight sideward turn before starting to drift slowly.

If he does not elicit a response he will start again with the sinuous swimming notion, repeating until the female responds. When they are ready to mate the red colouration becomes more intense and the par make audible grunts and clicks. The male will then draw the female to the selected outcropping and will continue the display around 90 cm above it. When the female adopts the position that indicates she is ready to mate, the male briefly nuzzles her vent until she releases the eggs.

The male then immediately releases his milt and then both fish dive for cover, the female chasing the male and nipping at his caudal fin. They then go to their night time shelter.

Systematics

SystematicsCentropyge potteri was first formally described in 1912 by the American ichthyologists David Starr Jordan (1851-1931) and Charles William Metz (1889-1975) with the type locality given as Honolulu on Oahu. The specific name honours Frederick A. Potter the first director of the Waikiki Aquarium who held the post from 1904 to 1940. Some authorities place this species in the subgenus Centropyge.

UtilisationCentropyge potteri'' appears in the aquarium trade.

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