Manyspine Angelfish

Centropyge multispinis, commonly referred to as the Bluefin Dwarf, Brown Pygmy Angelfish, Dusky Angelfish, Dusky Cherub, Many-Spined Angelfish, or Multispined Angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish within the family Pomacanthidae. This marine angelfish is distributed across tropical waters in the Indo-Pacific region.

The species is characterized by a dusky body color adorned with black vertical bars along the flanks. The posterior edges of the dorsal and anal fins are highlighted with bright blue margins. The dorsal fin comprises 14 spines and 15-17 soft rays, while the anal fin is equipped with 3 spines and 16-17 soft rays. Centropyge multispinis can reach a maximum total length of 14 centimeters (5.5 inches).

Geographically, Centropyge multispinis inhabits the northern and western 🌊 Indian Ocean, including the eastern coast of Africa, the 🌊 Red Sea, and extends across the 🌊 Indian Ocean to 🇹🇭 Thailand and Sumatra (🇮🇩 Indonesia). Although its presence in 🇲🇬 Madagascar requires verification, there is a record from Darwin, Northern Territory, which might represent a misidentification.

This species is typically located at depths ranging from 1 to 30 meters (3.3 to 98.4 feet), often in areas of rubble near coral reefs. It is also found in lagoon reefs and on the slopes of outer reefs. Within the 🌊 Indian Ocean, Centropyge multispinis is one of the most prevalent angelfish species. Its diet primarily consists of algae and detritus. Noteworthy is its reproductive trait of protogynous hermaphroditism, enabling sex change from female to male in the absence of a male individual.

The species was first formally described in 1867 by the Scottish naturalist Lambert Playfair, with Zanzibar identified as the type locality. The specific epithet, multispinis, pertains to the 2-4 spines on the interoperculum. Certain authorities classify this species under the subgenus Centropyge.