Midnight Angelfish

Centropyge Nox
Midnight Angelfish - Marinewise © 2024 MarineWise

Quick Facts

Scientific name Centropyge Nox
Other names Black Nox Angelfish, Black Pygmy Angelfish, Midnight Nox Angelfish
Size Up to 12 cm (4.7 in)
Weight Under a kilo (2.2lb)

Distribution

Habitat & AU Distribution Coral-rich areas of outer reef slopes, lagoons and passages.
Depth Range
Midnight Angelfish Distribution Australia

Interesting Info

  • The Midnight Angelfish are non-migratory, semi-aggressive fish and mostly solitary but can be found in pairs or small harems. Young fish stay in the shallows whilst adults can be found in up to 70 m (229 ft).
  • Midnight Angelfish like many other angelfish are broadcast spawners, releasing their eggs and sperm towards the top of the water column right before sunset. The fertilised eggs then float with the current and eventually settle on the bottom.
  • Whilst they can grow up to 12cm (4.7 in) they are considered a dwarf angelfish
  • These fish are omnivores and primarily feed on algae and sponges, but also eat small invertebrates, zooplankton and plants.
  • Estimates on lifespan have them reaching up to 5 years of age.
  • The main predators of angelfish include sharks, larger predatory fish and marine mammals.
Species Interaction

Aquarium & Reef

The Midnight Angelfish also known as the Black Nox Angelfish is a popular reef species known for their rich black colour. Whilst they can be aggressive towards other angelfish, they are fairly peaceful with other species of fish. They are popular with aquariums as they are low maintenance and hardy.

The fish has a large range across tropical waters including, parts of Japan, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Family: Pomacanthidae

Genus: Centropyge

Species: Centropyge nox

Conservation Status

Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Midnight Angelfish is currently categorised as “Least Concern”(LC).

LC is the lowest category on the scale for risk with “Extinct”(EX) being the highest.

Fish Taste Quality

Midnight Angelfish are a edible fish but are not a targeted species for consumption.

Taste Rating: 0/5

How to catch
Midnight Angelfish

Catch Difficulty: Easy

Bait: Prawns, Sponge, Weed, Worms

Popularity: Not targeted

Midnight Angelfish
As Aquarium Fish

Care Level: Easy to moderate

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive

Diet: Omnivore

Reef Compatible: With caution

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Recreational Viewing
- Snorkeling & Scuba

Finding: Easy

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive

Danger: None