Dwarf Angels
Although Dwarf Angelfish are smaller and generally more manageable than their larger counterparts, they still have some specific care requirements. They are omnivores, but plenty of vegetable matter, preferably in the form of macroalgae, should be provided for their grazing pleasure. Their suitability for reef tanks is hotly debated, so add at your own risk. Specimens that have been successfully maintained in reef aquaria include the Flame and Coral Beauty angels. However, for obvious reasons they should not be put into tanks with expensive decorative macroalgae.
The bicolor angelfish (Centropyge bicolor) is a marine angelfish, with an easily recognisable yellow front and a dark blue rear completed with a yellow tail. This species is widely distributed in the South Pacific. The bicolor angel fish has a maximum size at just under 10 cm making it a relatively large member of the Centropyge (Dwarf Angelfish) genus.
Despite being favored by many aquarists, the bicolor angelfish can be very difficult to keep, even experts often find it difficult to make them pass through the initial acclimation period.
The Twospined Angelfish, Dusky Angelfish, or Coral Beauty (Centropyge bispinosa), is an omnivorous marine angelfish. Some individuals have a dark purplish blue body with yellow to red stripes, and usually an electric blue rim; in others are orange stripes dominate, with the purple distributed in spots. Some bright orange forms are very similar in appearance to the golden angelfish, Centropyge aurantia.
The twospined angelfish is native to the Indo-Pacific where it lives in coral reefs and lagoons. It reaches a maximum length of 3 inches (8 cm). It eats algae.
When kept in an aquarium they are distributed throughout the tank. They prefer reef tanks over fish only tanks, but are suitable for both. This species does not seem to be suitable for beginners, as the difficulty is rated high.
The cherubfish or pygmy angelfish (Centropyge argi) is a gentle omnivorous marine angelfish, with a metallic blue body and yellow to orange colouration in parts of the head only. it is native to the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, and has a maximum length of 8 cm. it is easily confused with the orangeback angelfish (Centropyge acanthops), but in the latter the orange stripe extends across the back.
When kept in an aquarium cherubfish are distributed throughout the tank. They prefer reef tanks to fish only tanks. But like other angel fish, they are not completely 100% reef-safe. Results vary among individual fish and tank qualities (size, feeding, tankmates, etc.). In summary, be cautious when adding this fish to a coral tank!
The flame angel, Centropyge loricula, is a marine angelfish of the family Pomacanthidae found in tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean at depths of between 15 and 60 m. Its length is up to 15 cm.
The flame angel is found in clear lagoon and seaward reefs from the lower surge zone to a depth of 60 m. It is secretive and stays near shelter. It feeds on algae and forms harems of 3 to 7 individuals.
Coloration is bright orange-red with a vertical elongate black blotch and 4 or 5 bars on the sides, the posterior part of the dorsal and anal fins with alternating short purple-blue and black bands. Specimens from the Marquesas lack the vertical black bars.
It has been reared in captivity. Frequently exported through the aquarium trade. In captivity, this species feeds on a variety of food including live brine shrimp, frozen meaty foods as well as spirulina, seaweed sheets and pellets. Easy to feed.
The Flame Angel is known to be shy upon introduction to an established aquarium (especially smaller specimens) but within a week will gain confidence and is then constantly seen grazing around live rock during the day. Will fight with other fish if challenged for space or kept with similar species (dwarf angels) in a small tank. Some texts advise that this should be a final addition to a tank.
Centropyge tibicens is a marine angelfish from the Western-Pacific Ocean. It sometimes makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 19cm in length.
The lemonpeel angelfish (Centropyge flavissima) is an omnivorous marine angelfish. Its body is a distinctive bright yellow in colour, with a blue circle around the eyes and blue behind the operculum. Juveniles have a blue ring on each side. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region, where it lives in lagoons and reefs and eats marine algae.
In aquaria, it is suitable for fish only tanks. It may be kept in a reef tank, but with caution. This species is well-known for nipping at stony coral polyps and clam mantles, and may even eat soft coral polyps and zoanthids.
The orangeback angelfish or African pygmy angelfish (Centropyge acanthops) is an omnivorous marine angelfish. It has a blue body and yellow to orange colouration from the head and across the back. It is easily confused with the cherubfish (Centropyge argi), but in the latter the yellow to orange colouration only covers the head. It is native to the east coast of Africa, and reaches a maximum length of 8 cm.
When kept in an aquarium orangeback angelfish are distributed throughout the tank. They prefer reef tanks to fish only tanks.
This beauty is collected only from Hawaiian Islands. It is orange overall, with reticulating blue lines on the body and fins. While the can do well in captivity, they demand an ideal environment. Should be provided with plenty of hiding places in live rock, or a profuse growth of microalgae. Do not house with remotely aggressive tankmates. It is typically slow to begin feeding, but can do well in the ideal setting.
Just one amongst the many beautiful endemics of the U.S. 50th State, Hawai'i's Potter's Angel is not easy for many to locate in the wild... w/o careful observation. It's relatively abundant in and amongst the finger-like coral (Porites compressa) which is its typical domain, but so secretive that w/o keen searching and patience, most divers miss it entirely. This cryptic lifestyle is a chief clue to success with Potter's in captivity. They're shy, need plenty of cover, and a dearth of "busy" tankmates. Most failures in the care of this Centropyge stem from a lack of this understanding... coupled with the trials of rough capture, tortuous holding, shipping and handling stress and damage through the "chain of custody" going from the wild through wholesalers, retailers to the consumer.