Cocos angelfish

How it lives

It lives on coral and rubble on steep outer reef slopes, in groups of about four to five, at depths of about 8 to 70 m. Reef Builders says most are seen below 15 m, and juveniles are sometimes found in shallower water around 5 m. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite: fish begin as females, and if no male is present the dominant female changes sex. A group is a harem of one male with up to four females.

Where it goes

FishBase lists it as non-migratory, living on the outer reef slopes and drop-offs of its home islands. I did not read any tracking study.

We only draw a journey on the map when scientists have tracked it or clearly documented it. For this animal we have not found one yet.

Populations

IUCN lists it as Least Concern (FishBase gives the assessment date as 9 October 2009). It is found only at the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island, and Fishes of Australia says it is more common at Cocos (Keeling). I did not find a population count. FishBase says it is harvested for the aquarium trade, and Reef Builders calls it very rare in European imports, with only a handful reaching UK markets in about 15 years. Pulu Keeling National Park, where the reef is described as in pristine condition, has 201 recorded fish species.