Range: Western and South Pacific Ocean: New Guinea, Great Barrier Reef, Samoan Islands, and surrounding areas

Size: up to 4 inches (10 cm)

Natural Environment: Secretive and hide in coral and sponge growths at a depth of 10 to 50 feet (3 – 15 m) making them difficult to collect.

General Husbandry: Prefer a temperature of 77 - 82°F (25 - 28°C) and natural diet consists of algae and crustaceans, possibly making them a poor choice for the reef aquarium. Feed a varied diet, including Spirulina flake several times a day. Do no house with any other Centropyge species. Appears not to be a hardy species in captivity, yet shy and has a difficult time adjusting to captivity. Possibly, a bare bottom tank containing much coral rubble and rocks forming caves and crevices might be the best environment for this fish. Reason being they also feed on detritus, and bare bottom tanks make it easier for them to access areas containing this medium. It's also quite easy to occasionally clean areas under loosely stacked rock and rubble in bare bottom tanks with the flow from a powerhead.

Aquarium Suitability: * *