Cocos-Keeling angelfish (Centropyge colini)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Centropyge colini · Authority: Smith-Vaniz & Randall, 1974 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 278832.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278832 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 9 cm · Depth range: 20–110 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: of no interest · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: This rare species is a secretive dweller of crevices and clefts in caves of outer reef drop-offs (Ref. 1602). Natural diet unknown; forms harems of 3-7 individuals. Almost never exported through the aquarium trade (Ref. 48391). Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 8773) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Centropyge-colini.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

30 georeferenced occurrence records for Centropyge colini are published through GBIF from 9 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 15 distinct locations from a sample of 30 records; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Australia (14); Palau (4); Marshall Islands (3); New Caledonia (3); Cocos (Keeling) Islands (2); Christmas Island (1); Micronesia (Federated States of) (1); Philippines (1); Vanuatu (1).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2396529) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2396529&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278832 (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 colini Smith-Vaniz & Randall, 1974 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 165838) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165838/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2396529) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2396529/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The Cocos-Keeling angelfish is mainly lemon-yellow in colour with a wide blue stripe from the nape along the back to the middle of the dorsal fin. There is a thin purplish ring around the eye. The dorsal fin contains 14 spines and 16-17 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 17 soft rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 9 cm.

The Cocos-Keeling angelfish has been recorded from a scattering of sites in the Indo-West Pacific. These include the Spratly Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Marshall Islands, Cocos Keeling Islands, Fiji and Guam, with an unconfirmed report from the Ogasawara Islands off Japan.

The Cocos-Keeling angelfish is found at depths between 20 and 100 m. It is a shy and secretive species which lives in crevices and caves in deep reef drop offs.

It is found in groups which consist of a male and a harem of 2-6 females. The male is replaced by the most dominant female if he disappears. Very little is known about the diet of this species.

The Cocos-Keeling angelfish was first formally described in 1974 by William F. Smith-Vaniz and Ernest J. Randall (1924-2020) with the type locality given as Turks Reef in the Cocos-Keeling Islands. Some authorities place this species in the subgenus Centropyge.

The specific name honours the biologist Patrick L. Colin who helped collect the type.

The Cocos-Keeling angelfish rarely appears in the aquarium trade.

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