EN

Chaetodontoplus vanderloosi

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Chaetodontoplus vanderloosi faces severe population decline primarily due to intensive collection for the marine aquarium trade, where its striking coloration makes it highly sought after. The species' limited geographic range around the Coral Triangle makes it particularly vulnerable to localized fishing pressure. Habitat degradation from coral bleaching events and coastal development further compounds threats to this reef-dependent angelfish.

Threat summary

Habitat

This angelfish inhabits coral-rich areas of tropical marine reefs, typically found at depths between 15-40 meters in the Indo-Pacific region. It shows strong preference for areas with abundant hard coral cover and complex reef structure that provide both feeding opportunities and shelter.

Marine neritic· major

Other threatened species in POMACANTHIDAE

VU

Clarion Angelfish

Holacanthus clarionensis

Stable

Threatened in Papua New Guinea

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
VU

Hill's Leaf-nosed Bat

Hipposideros edwardshilli

Unknown
VU

Southern New Guinea Giant Softshell Turtle

Pelochelys bibroni

Unknown
VU

Australian Humpback Dolphin

Sousa sahulensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Chaetodontoplus vanderloosi classified as Endangered?
Chaetodontoplus vanderloosi is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Chaetodontoplus vanderloosi faces severe population decline primarily due to intensive collection for the marine aquarium trade, where its striking coloration makes it highly sought after. The species' limited geographic range around the Coral Triangle makes it particularly vulnerable to localized fishing pressure. Habitat degradation from coral bleaching events and coastal development further compounds threats to this reef-dependent angelfish.
Where does Chaetodontoplus vanderloosi live?
Chaetodontoplus vanderloosi occurs in Papua New Guinea. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Chaetodontoplus vanderloosi?
The main threats to Chaetodontoplus vanderloosi are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.