Resplendent pygmy angelfish (Centropyge resplendens)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Centropyge resplendens · Authority: Lubbock & Sankey, 1975 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 278849.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278849 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 6 cm · Depth range: 15–40 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: The habitat of this species consists of rock and rubble at depths of from 15 m to at least 40 m. Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35409).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 11106) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Centropyge-resplendens.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 resplendens Lubbock & Sankey, 1975 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 4131) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/4131/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2396494) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2396494/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The resplendent pygmy angelfish has a body which is largely deep blue in colour. There is a yellow patch over the snout and yellow along the back and dorsal fin to the yellow caudal fin. The dorsal fin contains 14 spines and 16 rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 17 rats. This species attains am maximum total length of 6 cm.

The resplendent pygmy angelfish is found in the South Atlantic Ocean where it is endemic to the waters around Ascension Island.

The resplendent pygmy angelfish occur at depths between 15 and 40 m, over rock and rubble substrates. It feeds on algae or detritus. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, like other members of the genus Centropyge, and the young fish are of indeterminate sex, become female at sexual maturity and if there is no male the dominant female changes sex to become male. This sex change can be reversed, which takes a few weeks.

The resplendent pygmy angelfish was first formally described in 1975 by Hugh Roger Lubbock (1951-1981) and Richard D. Sankey. The specific name resplendens means "resplendent", a reference to the beauty of its colour. Some authorities place this species in the subgenus Xiphypops.

The resplendent pygmy angelfish is rare in the aquarium trade, although it has been successfully bred in captivity, albeit infrequently.

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