This is easily the most abundant angelfish in the Marshalls, occurring commonly on most lagoon and seaward shallow reefs. They can be seen at low tide flitting around the coral and rocks in a few centimeters of water off the riprap on the north end of Kwajalein. They are common on lagoon reefs and pinnacles, and on the latter often mingle with the similar-looking Centropyge heraldi. They are the most abundant pygmy angel on the seaward reef flat from the intertidal on out to the knee of the drop in about 6m of water. At the knee of the seaward reef drop, they share the habitat with Centropyge loriculus. They thin out down the drop and become rare past about 20m depth. Centropyge flavissima easily hybridizes with Centropyge vrolikii. The hybrids are so variable we gave them their own page. There is a juvenile tang that sometimes mimics these angels.
The next one had a bit more blue in the face.
Juveniles often bear a blue-bordered black spot on each side. Curiously, this spot disappears quickly (usually a matter of days) if one of these is put into an aquarium. Maybe it changes if there are no adults around?
This one has a more elaborate spot.
Created 16 September 2010
Updated 4 October 2016