Purplemask angelfish (Centropyge venusta)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Centropyge venusta · Authority: (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 312651.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Centropyge venustus (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969); Holacanthus venustus Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969; Paracentropyge venusta (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969); Sumireyakko venustus (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969).

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=312651 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 12 cm · Depth range: 10–40 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 steep outer reef slopes (Ref. 9710); in ledges and caves (Ref. 48391). A shy species, not easily approached at close range (Ref. 4537). Usually observed singly, almost always upside down in reef caves (Ref. 47838); also forms pairs or small groups (Ref. 48391).

Natural diet unknown (Ref. 48391). Sometimes forms hybrids with Centropyge multifasciata (Ref. 48391). Occasionally exported through the aquarium trade.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 11189) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Centropyge-venusta.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

39 georeferenced occurrence records for Centropyge venusta are published through GBIF from 4 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 16 distinct locations from a sample of 39 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 (19); Chinese Taipei (10); Philippines (9); China (1).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2396491) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2396491&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=312651 (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 venusta (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969) 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 165900) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165900/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2396491) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2396491/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Centropyge venusta has a blue and yellow colouration. Yellow dominates the lower front part of the body and is also found around the snout area, There is a wedge of blue on the nape separating the patches yellow. There is also an area of blue starting close to the front of the dorsal fin and covers the rear part of the body and the caudal fin. The anal and pelvic fins are yellow with blue margins.

The distribution of the blue and yellow colour varies in individual fishes. The dorsal fin contains 14 spines and 16 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 15 soft rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 12 cm.

Centropyge venusta occurs in the western Pacific Ocean. It is found around the Ryukyu Islands and Izu Islands of southern Japan, Taiwan and northern Luzon in the Philippines.

Centropyge venustais found at depths between 10 and 40 m. It is a shy and unapproachable species of caves and overhangs, where it is typically encountered as solitary individuals oriented upside down on the roofs. It does form pairs or small groups. Its diet in the wild is unknown but in captivity it requires live food.

Centropyge venusta was first formally described as Holocanthus venustus in 1969 by the Japanese ichthyologists Fujio Yasuda and Yoshiaki Tominaga with the type locality given as Izu Ōshima in Sagami Bay. The specific name venusta means "beautiful". Some authorities place this species in the subgenus Paracentropyge, which is sometimes treated as a valid genus.

Centropyge venusta is rare in the aquarium trade and commands high prices when it does become available. It has now been bred and successfully reared in captivity.

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