Peppermint Angelfish

Quick Take

• Only one of these fish was on public display anywhere in the world as of 2019, and the reason why is more complex than you'd expect. Rarity in public display →
• This fish can literally change its sex, and the circumstances that trigger it are stranger than you'd think. Sex-changing behavior explained →
• Owning one could cost you more than a used car, yet most buyers still can't keep it alive. Here's what makes it so difficult. Cost and care challenges →
• Its name carries a hidden meaning rooted in an unusual behavior that researchers didn't expect from such a small fish. Hidden meaning in its name →

The Peppermint Angelfish lives at depths of the ocean that are difficult for divers to access due to extreme pressures. They like to hide from predators around the caves and coral reefs near the bottom of the ocean. If you’re interested in acquiring one for your aquarium, then the price could be an issue. They can easily cost thousands of dollars at a minimum.

3 Peppermint Angelfish Facts

• Peppermint angelfish are primarily found in pairs or small groups, which provide protection against predators. These fish never stray far from their hiding spots when feeding.
• As of 2019, only a single peppermint angelfish was on display anywhere in the world: this was at the Waikiki Aquarium in Honolulu.
• Peppermint angelfish generally communicate with each other through chemical signals in urine and bile.

Classification and Scientific Name

The scientific name of the peppermint angelfish is Centropyge boylei. Centropyge is derived from a combination of two different Greek words: kentron, meaning sting, and pyge, meaning rear end or tail. This may refer to their habit of nipping at each other’s tails. Boylei is named in honor of fish collector Charles J. Boyle, who first discovered the fish. This species is most closely related to other types of pygmy angelfish, including the flame-back pygmy angelfish and the yellow pygmy angelfish.

Appearance

The peppermint angelfish is a small species, reaching a maximum length of around 2.8 inches (7 cm). The front of the body is curved into a snout, while the back fins are square-shaped. The dorsal fin on the back has a spiny appearance. By far the most prominent characteristic is the five alternating vertical bright-orange and white stripes along the entire body, which resemble the peppermint candy for which they’re named. Their side fins and tail fin are also completely translucent.

Distribution, Population, and Habitat

The peppermint angelfish is primarily found in various locations throughout the central South Pacific Ocean region, particularly around the Cook Islands. They prefer to hide in the rocky caves and coral reefs at depths of 180 to 394 feet. According to the IUCN Red List, the peppermint angelfish is listed as a species of least concern. Population numbers are unknown, but they appear to be widespread and stable throughout their natural range. This species has few known threats in the wild, but climate change could pose a threat to its coral reef habitats in the future.

Predators and Prey

The peppermint angelfish is largely omnivorous. They sift along the ocean floor for small bits of food.

What eats the peppermint angelfish?

The peppermint angelfish is mostly preyed upon by sharks and other large fish. The exact predatory species are largely unknown.

What does the peppermint angelfish eat?

The peppermint angelfish consumes sponges, worms, crustaceans, and other small bits of organic matter. Juveniles are more likely to consume small bits of plant and animal matter.

Reproduction and Lifespan

During the breeding season, the female angelfish will lay eggs in a rocky or sandy area at the bottom of the ocean. The male will fertilize the eggs externally at the same time with his sperm. The eggs are covered in tiny oil globules that allow them to float up to the plankton-rich surface. Upon hatching, the fry quickly become mobile and begin to feed, and they have a minimal association with their parents. The lifespan is thought to be about 10–15 years in captivity and likely somewhat less in the wild due to predation and disease.

Unfortunately, much about the peppermint angelfish’s breeding behavior remains unknown, mostly because the species has yet to be studied in great detail. However, much can be inferred from studying closely related species. The other angelfish within the Centropyge genus are known to maintain a large harem in which a single dominant male may monopolize breeding access to multiple females, engaging in a lengthy courtship ritual with each female to stimulate her to lay eggs before reproduction occurs. Pygmy angelfish are also known to be protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning females can transform into males when the dominant male is killed or removed. All of this is presumably true for the peppermint angelfish as well. However, this has yet to be proven definitively.

Fishing and Cooking

The peppermint angelfish is not generally caught for commercial purposes because of its remote location, its fragile body, and its tendency to hide at depths that prove difficult to reach. As a result, they are very rare in the pet trade. Due to their rarity, the price of just one specimen can easily reach thousands of dollars.

If you ever happen to be lucky enough to own one, the fish does require special care. They need a large tank with a temperature above 70 degrees Fahrenheit to mimic their natural habitat, and they can be fed a diet heavy in algae and frozen foods. Due to their territorial behavior and tendency to nip and bite, they are difficult to keep with other fish. However, they may get along with other species from the Cook Islands, including the longfin anthias. On the plus side, these fish have a good lifespan and a unique and interesting appearance. Reproduction in captivity has not been documented.