Centropyge tibicen, commonly known as the Keyhole Angelfish or Tibicen Angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a dwarf angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is native to the western Pacific Ocean and is a popular choice for reef aquariums due to its striking coloration and manageable size.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Actinopterygii
- Order: Perciformes
- Family: Pomacanthidae
- Genus: Centropyge
- Species: C. tibicen (Cuvier, 1831)
Description
The Keyhole Angelfish is characterized by its distinctive color pattern. Adults typically reach a maximum length of about 10 cm (4 inches). The body is predominantly black to dark brown, marked with a prominent, bright yellow "keyhole" or "saddle" shaped patch on its mid-flank, extending from the dorsal fin towards the ventral side. This yellow marking can vary in intensity and size between individuals, sometimes appearing more like a vertical bar. The caudal fin (tail) is often yellow, contrasting sharply with the dark body. Its dorsal and anal fins are typically edged with electric blue, adding to its visual appeal. Like other Centropyge species, it possesses a single strong spine at the preopercle (gill cover).Habitat and Distribution
Centropyge tibicen is found in the western Pacific Ocean, ranging from Indonesia and the Philippines east to the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia, and south to northern Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef. They typically inhabit coral reefs, lagoons, and outer reef slopes at depths ranging from 5 to 30 meters (16 to 98 feet). They prefer areas with rubble, crevices, and abundant live rock, which provide shelter and grazing opportunities.Diet and Behavior
The Keyhole Angelfish is an omnivorous species, with its diet primarily consisting of algae, detritus, and small benthic invertebrates found amongst the rocks and corals. They are generally observed as solitary individuals, in pairs, or occasionally in small groups. While generally considered peaceful, like many angelfishes, they can exhibit territorial behavior, especially towards other dwarf angelfish or similarly shaped species in confined environments such as aquariums. They are active grazers during the day.Reproduction
Like other Centropyge species, C. tibicen is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning all individuals mature as females and some later transition to males. They typically form harems consisting of one male and several females. Spawning occurs at dusk, with the pair rising in the water column and releasing eggs and sperm simultaneously. The eggs are pelagic.Conservation Status
The Keyhole Angelfish is not currently evaluated by the IUCN Red List. However, as a reef-associated species, its populations can be vulnerable to habitat degradation due to climate change, coral bleaching, and destructive fishing practices.Aquarium Keeping
Centropyge tibicen is a popular species among marine aquarium hobbyists due to its striking coloration, relatively small size, and hardiness.- Tank Size: A minimum tank size of 75-100 liters (20-25 gallons) is recommended for a single specimen, with larger tanks preferred.
- Diet: In captivity, they should be fed a varied diet of high-quality marine flake foods, pellets, frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and spirulina-based foods. Regular grazing on live rock and algae within the tank is also important.
- Compatibility: While generally peaceful, they can be territorial with other dwarf angelfish or similarly shaped fish. They are often considered "reef safe with caution" as they may nip at certain large polyp stony (LPS) corals, soft corals, or clam mantles, though this behavior is less common than with some other Centropyge species. Providing ample live rock and a varied diet can help reduce the likelihood of coral nipping.
- Water Parameters: Stable marine water parameters are essential for their health.
References
- FishBase: Centropyge tibicen
- ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System): Centropyge tibicen