Peppermint angelfish (Centropyge boylei)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Centropyge boylei · Authority: Pyle & Randall, 1992 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 278831.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278831 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 7 cm · Depth range: 53–120 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Found in ledges, caves, and rubble areas of steep seaward reefs (Ref. 9710, 48391). Never or rarely exported through the aquarium trade (Ref. 48391).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 25427) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Centropyge-boylei.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Centropyge boylei Pyle & Randall, 1992 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 165824) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165824/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2396541) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2396541/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The peppermint angelfish has a deep, oval shaped body which has five white vertical bands on a reddish-orange background. The dorsal and anal fins have white margins and the caudal fin is translucent. The face and chin are white. This species attains a maximum total length of 7 cm.

The peppermint angelfish is found in the eastern central Pacific Ocean. It has only been recorded from Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, although it is considered likely that it will be recorded elsewhere in the region.

The peppermint angelfish is found at depths of 55 to 120 m on areas of coral rubble, overhangs and caves situated in the steep outer slopes of reefs. It is little known but its diet is thought to be made up of worms, crustaceans, sponges, tunicates, and detritus. It has been recorded in pairs or small groups.

The peppermint angelfish was first formally described in 1992 by John Ernest Randall (1924–2020) and Richard Pyle. It is placed in the subgenus Paracentropyge by some authorities. Its specific name honours the collector of the type, Charles "Chip" J. Boyle.

The peppermint angelfish is occasionally exported as an aquarium specimen and can fetch high prices (a single specimen was offered to be bought for $30,000).

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