Centropyge tibicen – Keyhole Angelfish
Centropyge tibicen was first described by French anatomist Georges Cuvier in 1831. This fish belongs to the family Pomacanthidae, known as the emperor fish. The genus name Centropyge is derived from the Greek ‘kentron’ (stinging) and’pyge’ (tail), referring to the fish ‘ s spiny tail. The species name Tibicen means”trumpeter” and refers to the name given to this species by Dutch naturalist François Valentijn in 1726. Their common name is Keyhole Angelfish.
Synonym: Holacanthus tibicen.
Description
Centropyge tibicen has a mainly deep dark blue, almost black body with a distinctive white vertical stripe on the flanks. The fins are yellow, with a blue border on the dorsal and caudal fins. The fish can reach a maximum length of 19 centimeters .
Differences between males and females:
There are no obvious physical differences between males and females. Both sexes have the same color patterns and markings. Juveniles have a more pronounced white stripe that changes to a variable blotch with age.
Behavior and temperament:
The Centropyge tibicen is semi-aggressive and can be territorial, especially towards conspecifics. They usually live in harems of 3-7 individuals and are protogynous hermaphrodites, which means that they can change sex. They are active swimmers and often graze on algae on rocks and other surfaces.
Protogynous hermaphroditism in Centropyge tibicen
Protogynous hermaphroditism is a form of sex change in which an individual begins life as a female and changes to a male later in life. This phenomenon is common in reef fish, including Centropyge species, and is often socially controlled by dominance hierarchy within a group.
Mechanism of sex change:
In Centropyge tibicen, as in other protogyne species, sex change is triggered by social cues. When the dominant male in a harem disappears, the largest female in the group will begin to change into a male. This process can take several weeks and includes behavioral changes as well as physical changes in the gonads and secondary sexual characteristics.
Behavioral changes:
During sex change, the female that changes into a male first exhibits male behaviors such as defending a territory and performing courtship rituals. These behavioral changes may occur before the physical changes are fully completed.
Physical changes:
The physical changes include the transformation of the ovaries into testes. This process can be observed by the presence of spermatogenic tissues in the gonads of the changing individual. In some species, such as Centropyge ferrugata, secondary sexual characteristics such as fin color also change during sex change.
Social ques:
Sex change in Centropyge tibicen is strongly influenced by the social structure of the group. The largest and most dominant females are most likely to turn into males when the situation calls for it. This ensures that the group always has a male to ensure reproduction.
Benefits of protogynous hermaphroditism:
This form of sex change offers several advantages. It allows the species to respond flexibly to changes in group dynamics and mate availability. This increases the reproductive success and survival of the group as a whole
Biotope
Centropyge tibicen is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the eastern Indian Ocean to Fiji, and from Japan to Australia. They live in lagoons and coral reefs, often at depths between 4 and 35 meters. Their natural habitat consists of a mix of coral and debris, with many hiding places among the rocks and corals.
Diet
In the wild:
The Centropyge tibicen feeds mainly on algae, but can also eat small invertebrates.
In the Aquarium:
They can be fed a diet of marine algae, angelfish preparations, mysis or frozen shrimp, and other meaty items. It is important not to feed them too much coral or polyps, as they are not completely reefsafe and may sip on sessile invertebrates.
The Aquarium
Aquarium size:
An aquarium of at least 400 liters is recommended for a single Centropyge tibicen. Multiple pairs require a larger aquarium to minimize territorial conflicts.
Fixture:
The aquarium should be furnished with plenty of live rock for hiding places and to graze on. A sand or gravel substrate is suitable.
Water conditions:
The best water conditions are a temperature between 24.5 and 29°C, a pH of 8.1-8.4, and a salinity of 1,020-1,025.
Introduction:
Introduce this fish only in a well-matured aquarium with sufficient algae.
Compatibility:
They can live well with other peaceful fish such as clownfish, gobies, and wrasses, but avoid other territorial or aggressive species.
Particularities
Centropyge tibicen is one of the largest species within the genus Centropyge and is known for its distinctive color patterns and semi-aggressive behavior. They are protogyn hermaphrodites and can change sex as needed within their harem.
Conclusion
Centropyge tibicen is a beautiful and interesting species of fish for advanced aquarists. They require a well-decorated and mature aquarium with plenty of hiding places and algae to graze on. Although they can be semi-aggressive, they can live well with other peaceful fish.
Keeping this species of fish can be challenging because of their specific diet and habitat requirements, but with proper care and attention, they can be a valuable addition to a reef aquarium.
Author
John de Lange
Copyright images
