Cherubfish (Centropyge argi)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Centropyge argi · Authority: Woods & Kanazawa, 1951 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 278827.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278827 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 8 cm · Depth range: 5–80 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Normally occurs in rubble areas. Feeds on various types of algae.

Oviparous (Ref. 205), monogamous (Ref. 52884). Retreats into holes when frightened (Ref. 9710). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35408).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 3607) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Centropyge-argi.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

18,670 georeferenced occurrence records for Centropyge argi are published through GBIF from 31 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 51 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 5 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 (16,022); Puerto Rico (2,363); Mexico (44); Bahamas (34); Virgin Islands (U.S.) (33).

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

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2396546) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2396546&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278827 (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 argi Woods & Kanazawa, 1951 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 165837) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165837/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2396546) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2396546/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The cherubfish has an oval, deep and laterally compressed body with a short, blunt snout and a small mouth. There is a long, robust spine at the angle of the preoperculum, which has its vertical edge being serrated. The body is deep blue in colour with the head and chest being orange-yellow with a thin blue eye ring and a small dark blue botch to the rear of the mouth.

The pectoral fins are pale yellowish while the other fins are dark blue with light blue margins. The dorsal fin contains 14–15 spines and 15–16 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 17 soft rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 8 cm.

The cherubfish is found in the western Atlantic Ocean. It occurs off Bermuda, and from North Carolina through the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico to the Caribbean coast of South America, as far east as French Guiana.

The cherubfish occurs at depths between 5 and 18 m, typically below 30 m. Its usual habitat is coral rubble where it feeds on algae and small benthic invertebrates. It retreats into cavities when alarmed. It lives in small groups of around 10 fish, usually a single male and a few females and juveniles.

The cherubfish was first formally described in 1951 by Loren Paul Woods and Robert H. Kanazawa with the type locality given as the Argus Bank near Bermuda. In some classifications it is placed in the subgenus Xiphipops.The specific name refers to the type locality.

The cherubfish is one of the most popular species of marine angelfish in aquaria.

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