Centropyge

Centropyge is a paraphyletic genus. This is because Genicanthus and the polyphyletic genus Apolemichthys are nested within Centropyge.^[3]

Centropyge includes 3 subgenera and several species complexes. The subgenus Xiphypops only comprises all species within the C. acanthops complex, which include C. acanthops, C. argi, C. aurantonota, C. resplendens. Subgenus Paracentropyge comprises C. boylei, C. multifasciata, and C. venusta. These two subgenera are monophyletic and there is support for their elevation to genus status. All other species currently fall under the nominate subgenus Centropyge, which is not monophyletic. Different studies have designated different species complexes within Centropyge, based on differing definitions of the term 'species complex'.^[3]

Although it is difficult to distinguish the sexes, females are often shorter and more round finned. Like many other reef fish and all marine angelfish, the species in this genus are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning that they start their adult lives as females and the dominant individual in a group can change to a male within days. A reversal of this sex change is possible if the social status of the individual changes, it is however a process that requires much more time.^[4] Uniquely amongst protogynous fish, males of at least one species of Centropyge (C. ferrugata) are capable of reversing sex change and changing back into females.^[5]