Cocos Pygmy Angelfish, Centropyge joculator Smith-Vaniz & Randall 1974
Other Names: Cocos Angelfish, Yellowhead Angelfish
A Cocos Pygmy Angelfish, Centropyge joculator, at Christmas Island (AUS, Indian Ocean), May 2022. Source: Erik Schlogl / iNaturalist.org. License: CC by Attribution-NonCommercial
Summary:
A dark blue angelfish with a bright yellow head and anterior body, a blue ring around the eye, and a yellow tail. The species is endemic to the Australian territories of Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2022, Centropyge joculator in Fishes of Australia, accessed 11 Sep 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/4995
Cocos Pygmy Angelfish, Centropyge joculator Smith-Vaniz & Randall 1974
More Info
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Distribution |
Endemic to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Australia) and Christmas Island (Australia) in the eastern Indian Ocean. Inhabits coral and rubble areas on steep outer reef slopes and drop-offs, usually in small groups of four to five individuals. The species is more common at Cocos (Keeling) than Christmas Is. |
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Features |
Dorsal fin XIV,16-17; Anal fin III,17. |
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Biology |
A protogynous hermaphrodite - initially female and are capable of changing sex to become males. Throughout the year, males maintain a small harem. |
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Similar Species |
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Etymology |
The specific name is from the Latin joculator (= jester, clown) in reference to the bold and gaudy coloration of this species. |
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Species Citation |
Centropyge joculator Smith-Vaniz & Randall, 1974, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philad. 126: 106, figs. 1-4. Type locality: Turks Reef, Cocos-Keeling Islands, 12°06'30"S, 96°49'35"E, depth 30-46 m. |
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Author |
Bray, D.J. 2022 |
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Resources |
Cocos Pygmy Angelfish, Centropyge joculator Smith-Vaniz & Randall 1974
References
Allen, G.R. 1980. Butterfly and Angelfishes of the World. New York : John Wiley & Sons Vol. 2 pp. 149-352 figs 214-510.
Allen, G.R. 2000. Fishes of Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement 59: 83-95. See ref online
Allen, G.R. & Erdmann, M.V. 2012. Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth : Tropical Reef Research 3 vols, 1260 pp.
Allen, G.R. & Smith-Vaniz, W.F. 1994. Fishes of Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Atoll Research Bulletin 412: 1-21 https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00775630.412.1
Allen, G.R. & Steene, R.C. 1988. Fishes of Christmas Island Indian Ocean. Christmas Island : Christmas Island Natural History Association 197 pp.
Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & Allen, M. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Cairns : Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research 250 pp. figs.
Allen, G.R., Steene, R.C. & Orchard, M. 2007. Fishes of Christmas Island. Christmas Island : Christmas Island Natural History Association 2 edn, 284 pp.
Endoh, K. 2007. Angelfishes of the World. Two Little Fishies, Inc., Miami Gardens, Florida.
Gaither, M.R., Schultz, J.K., Bellwood, D.R., Pyle, R.L., et al. 2014. Evolution of pygmy angelfishes: recent divergences, introgression, and the usefulness of color in taxonomy. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 74: 38-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2014.01.017
Hobbs, J-P.A., Newman, S.J., Mitsopoulos, G.E.A., Travers, M.J., Skepper, C.L., Gilligan, J.J., Allen, G.R., Choat, H.J. & Ayling, A.M. 2014. Checklist and new records of Christmas Island fishes: the influence of isolation, biogeography and habitat availability on species abundance and community composition. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement 30: 184–202 See ref online
Hobbs, J-P.A., Newman, S .J., Mitsopoulos, G.E.A., Travers, M.J., Skepper, C.L., Gilligan, J.J., Allen, G.R., Choat, H.J. & Ayling, A.M. 2014. Fishes of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands: new records, community composition and biogeographic significance. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement 30: 203–219 See ref online
Hobbs, J-P.A., van Herwerden, L., Jerry, D.R., Jones, G.P. & Munday, P.L. 2013. High genetic diversity in geographically remote populations of endemic and widespread coral reef angelfishes (genus: Centropyge). Diversity 5: 39-50. https://doi.org/10.3390/d5010039
Kuiter, R.H., Debelius, H. & Tanaka, H. 2003. Pomacanthidae, a Comprehensive Guide to Angelfishes. Melbourne : Zoonetics 206 pp.
