Centropyge nox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Centropyge nox |
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Holacanthus nox Bleeker, 1853 |
The midnight angelfish, also known as the dusky angelfish, is a beautiful species of marine fish. It's a type of marine angelfish and belongs to the family Pomacanthidae. You can find this fish swimming in the Western Pacific Ocean.
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What Does It Look Like?
The midnight angelfish is mostly a deep bluish-black color, just like the night sky! It sometimes has a small, uneven yellow spot right behind its gill cover, above its pectoral fin (the fin on its side).
This fish has two main fins on its back and belly. The fin on its back, called the dorsal fin, has 14 to 15 strong spines and 16 to 17 soft rays. The fin on its belly, called the anal fin, has 3 spines and 16 to 17 soft rays. The midnight angelfish can grow up to about 10 centimetres (3.9 in) long, which is about the length of an adult's hand.
Where Do Midnight Angelfish Live?
Midnight angelfish are found in the warm waters of the Western Pacific Ocean. Their home stretches from the Ryukyu Islands in the north, all the way down to New Caledonia and the famous Great Barrier Reef in the south. They also live west in Indonesia and east towards the Caroline Islands.
Their Home and Habits
These angelfish like to live in waters that are between 10 and 70 metres (33 and 230 ft) deep. They are often seen in areas of the outer coral reefs where there are lots of corals. Sometimes, you might also spot them in lagoons or channels.
Midnight angelfish really like places with many different kinds of plants and small animals growing on the seabed. They usually swim alone or in pairs. These fish are herbivorous, meaning they eat mostly algae. They often live in small groups called harems, with about 3 to 7 fish together.
About Its Name
The midnight angelfish was first officially described in 1853 by a Dutch scientist named Pieter Bleeker. He was an expert in fish and reptiles. He found this fish near Ambon Island in Indonesia.
The scientific name for this fish is Centropyge nox. The word nox means "night" in Latin. This name was chosen because of the fish's dark, bluish-black color, which reminds people of the night. Some scientists also place this species in a smaller group called the Centropyge subgenus.
Midnight Angelfish in Aquariums
Sometimes, you can find the midnight angelfish in the aquarium trade. People who love keeping marine fish might have them in their home aquariums.
