Bluestriped angelfish (Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis · Authority: (Temminck & Schlegel, 1844) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 280124.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Holacanthus septentrionalis Temminck & Schlegel, 1844.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=280124 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 22 cm · Depth range: 5–15 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 12 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Inhabits coastal rocky and coral reefs (Ref. 9710). Solitary species. Feeds on sponges and tunicates. Rarely exported through the aquarium trade (Ref. 48391).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 11124) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Chaetodontoplus-septentrionalis.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

188 georeferenced occurrence records for Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis are published through GBIF from 7 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 26 distinct locations from a sample of 188 records, omitting 13 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: Korea, Republic of (70); Japan (56); Chinese Taipei (36); Viet Nam (19); China (4); Hong Kong (2); Thailand (1).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2396591) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2396591&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=280124 (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 Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1844) 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 165882) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165882/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2396591) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2396591/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis has a background body colour of yellow to tan overlain with vivid longitudinal blue stripes and a yellow caudal fin. In the females the blue stripes run the length of the body. In the males the lines on the body are duller and they have blue lines on the face. The juveniles have a black background colour and there are yellow markings on their fins and a yellow bar to the rear of the head.

Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis occurs in the western Pacific Ocean from southern Japan and South Korea and Taiwan and southern China.

Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis is commonest on rocky reefs which have large boulders and stones, as well as rubble slopes. It is found at depths of 2 to 30 m.

Small juveniles are frequently commoner at depths over 15 m down to 30 m they are found on rocky, patch reefs and frequently stay close to a crevice where they can shelter if required. It feeds on sponges and tunicates. Like all other angelfish it is a protogynous hermaphrodite, with all individuals being female initially and the dominant ones changing to males.

Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis was first formally described in 1844 by Coenraad Jacob Temminck and Hermann Schlegel with the type locality given as Nagasaki. The specific name means northern, thought to be a reference to its more northerly distribution than apparently related species.

Chaetondontoplus septentrionalis is infrequently traded in the aquarium trade but when it does appear it often thrives in captivity.

Source: Wikipedia: Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaetodontoplus_septentrionalis (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.