Centropyge narcosis is vivid yellow over the whole of its body and fins broken only by a large black blotch in the middle of the upper flank.

[1] It is normally found in pairs or small groups in caves and in cracks on steep drop offs.

When it perceives a threat, it will adopt a head down position, erect the spines in its dorsal fin and use the spots on its flanks to impersonate a large predatory fish.

[5] The specific name, narcosis, refers to the extreme effects of nitrogen narcosis that the Richard Pyle and Charles “Chip” Boyle suffered when they collected the holotype at a depth greater than 100 metres (330 ft) while using conventional SCUBA equipment.

[6] Centropyge narcosis is very rare in the aquarium trade and commands high prices when it does come up for sale.