HomeMarine aquarium fishAngelfish & butterflyfishBlack-velvet angelfish Black-velvet angelfish (Chaetodontoplus melanosoma) Scientific name: Chaetodontoplus melanosoma Bleeker, 1853 The Black-velvet angelfish (Chaetodontoplus melanosoma) is a marine fish of the family Pomacanthidae. Native range: Indo-West Pacific, Indo-Malayan region and New Guinea, northward to southern Japan. BiologySeveral similar species, easily confused. Juveniles are almost identical as in other species complexes in the genus. Most confusion is caused as color changes occur with growth that may match between different species at certain stages, especially the caudal fin pattern that maybe yellow in sub-adults on one and yellow in adults of others.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameChaetodontoplus melanosomaFamilyPomacanthidae (Angelfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length20.0Depth range5–25 m (16–82 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 5 - 25 mClimateTropicalDistributionIndo-West Pacific: Indo-Malayan region and New Guinea, northward to southern Japan.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More angelfish & butterflyfishPajama cardinalfishSphaeramia nematopteraIndian vagabond butterflyfishChaetodon decussatusNarrow-barred butterflyfishAmphichaetodon melbaeTwospot coralfishCoradion melanopusTruncate coralfishChelmonops truncatusThree-banded butterflyfishChaetodon robustusSee all angelfish & butterflyfish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026