Peppermint angelfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peppermint angelfish |
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The peppermint angelfish (Centropyge boylei) is a beautiful and rare small fish. It lives in the ocean and is a type of marine angelfish. You can find it in the central South Pacific Ocean, especially around the Cook Islands.
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What Does It Look Like?
The peppermint angelfish has a body shaped like a deep oval. It's reddish-orange with five bright white stripes going up and down. Its top fin (called the dorsal fin) and bottom fin (the anal fin) have white edges. The tail fin is clear, almost see-through. Its face and chin are also white. This little fish can grow up to about 7 centimeters (2.8 inches) long.
Where Does It Live?
This special angelfish lives in the eastern central part of the Pacific Ocean. So far, it has mostly been seen near Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. However, scientists think it might live in other nearby places too.
Its Home and Habits
The peppermint angelfish likes to live deep underwater, usually between 55 to 120 meters (180 to 390 feet) down. It prefers areas with broken coral, rocky overhangs, and caves. These spots are often found on the steep outer slopes of coral reefs.
Scientists don't know a lot about what this fish eats. But they believe it dines on small creatures like worms, tiny crustaceans, sponges, and tunicates. It also eats detritus, which is like tiny bits of dead plants and animals. Peppermint angelfish are sometimes seen swimming in pairs or small groups.
Why Is It Called That?
The peppermint angelfish was first officially described in 1992 by two scientists, John Ernest Randall and Richard Pyle. Its specific name, boylei, was given to honor Charles “Chip” J. Boyle. He was the person who collected the first example of this fish for study.
Being a Pet
Because it is so beautiful and rare, the peppermint angelfish is sometimes caught for aquariums. It is very hard to find, so a single fish can be worth a lot of money. One was even offered for $30,000!
