Golden angelfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Golden angelfish |
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The Golden Angelfish (its scientific name is Centropyge aurantia) is a beautiful, small fish. People also call it the golden pygmy angelfish or velvet dwarf angel. It's a type of marine angelfish and belongs to the Pomacanthidae family. You can find this fish living in the warm, shallow coral reefs of the western Pacific Ocean.
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What Does the Golden Angelfish Look Like?
This angelfish is mostly a reddish-orange color. It has many thin, wavy golden stripes running up and down its sides. Its fins (the ones on its back, bottom, and tail) have some dark bands near their edges.
The Golden Angelfish also has a dark bluish ring around its eye. It can grow up to about 10 centimetres (3.9 in) long. Its back fin has 14 sharp spines and 16 to 17 soft rays. The fin on its belly has 3 spines and 17 to 18 soft rays.
Where Does the Golden Angelfish Live?
The Golden Angelfish lives in the western part of the Pacific Ocean. You can find it in places like eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Its home stretches east to Fiji and Samoa.
It has also been seen as far south as Australia. Specifically, it has been recorded near Carter Reef, which is off the coast of Queensland.
What Does the Golden Angelfish Eat and Where Does It Live?
The Golden Angelfish loves to live in areas with lots of coral reefs and rocky spots. It often hides in small cracks and holes that are surrounded by sponges. This helps it stay safe from predators.
This fish is an omnivore, which means it eats both plants and animals. Its diet includes algae, tiny bits of decaying matter (called detritus), and small invertebrates. It's a very shy fish, so divers don't see it very often. It usually lives in waters that are about 3 to 20 metres (9.8 to 65.6 ft) deep.
How the Golden Angelfish Got Its Name
The Golden Angelfish was first officially described in 1974. Two scientists, John E. Randall and Richard C. Wass, gave it its scientific name. They found the first example of this fish in Pago Pago Harbor, which is in American Samoa.
The name aurantia means "orange". This name was chosen because of the fish's beautiful overall orange color.
Golden Angelfish as Aquarium Pets
The Golden Angelfish is not very common in the aquarium trade. This means you won't often see it for sale in pet stores that specialize in fish.
