Mango angelfish (Centropyge shepardi)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Centropyge shepardi · Authority: Randall & Yasuda, 1979 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 278850.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278850 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 9 cm · Common length: 7 cm · Depth range: 1–56 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: A common species (Ref. 9710) found singly or in small groups in exposed outer reef slopes and occasionally in clear lagoon reefs. Prefers areas of mixed dead and living corals with numerous shelter holes and passages (Ref. 1602).

Feeds mainly on benthic algae. Forms harems of 3-7 individuals. Occasionally exported through the aquarium trade (Ref. 48391).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 11111) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Centropyge-shepardi.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

2,730 georeferenced occurrence records for Centropyge shepardi are published through GBIF from 4 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 28 distinct locations from a sample of 2,730 records; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Northern Mariana Islands (2,439); Guam (283); Japan (7); French Polynesia (1).

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

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2396539) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2396539&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278850 (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 shepardi Randall & Yasuda, 1979 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 165875) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165875/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2396539) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2396539/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Centropyge shepardi has an oval-shaped. body with the dorsal and anal fins being rounded to slightly pointed at their ends. It varies in its orange background colour from nearly red to light apricot, the dorsal part being slightly darker than the ventral part. There is normally dark vertical barring on the body but this may be restricted to a small patch to the rear of the gill cover, and in rarely it may be absent.

Males have a vivid blue margin to the soft rayed part of the dorsal and anal fins. The dorsal fin contains 14 spines and 16-18 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 17-18 soft rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 9 cm.

Distribution

Centropyge shepardi is found in the western Pacific Ocean, where its distribution is restricted to the Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, the Ogasawara Islands of southern Japan. Recently they are found at Yoron island and Okinoerabu island of southern Japan. It has been recorded from the Izu Islands of Japan, but this probably refers to vagrants. It has been reported from Palau and the Philippines but these reports need confirmation.

Habitat and biology

Centropyge shepardi is a common species within its range where it is found at depths of 10 to 56 m. It is typically encountered in small groups on exposed outer reef slopes, occasionally on lagoon reefs. It is associated with areas of mixed live and dead coral where there is plenty of holes and caves for shelter. It is mainly herbivorous, most of its diet being algae.

The groups are harems of 3-7 individuals. This oviparous species is a broadcast spawner, spawning is thought to start in September and takes place at dusk. The male displays to a female, pushing and chasing her until she releases her eggs at which point the sperm is released. The eggs hatch after 2 to 3 days.

Systematics

Centropyge shepardi was first formally described in 1979 by John Ernest Randall (1924-2020) and Fujio Yasuda with the type locality given as the western side of Cocos Island in Guam. The specific name honours John W. Shepard of the University of Guam, who demonstrated the sympatry of this species with C. bispinosa in Guam and who drew Randall and Yasuda's attention to the two species' differing number of pectoral fin rays. Some authorities place this species in the subgenus Centropyge.

Utilisation

Centropyge shepardi is rare in the aquarium trade and when it does come to market it is rather expensive.

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