  |
||||||
|
|
The Best Dwarf AngelfishesThese Pygmy Angelfishes Make Great Beginner Saltwater Fish
These small, reef-compatible, hardy angelfishes are colorful and relatively affordable fishes for even the beginning aquarist.
Centropyge angelfishes are some of the most appropriate angelfishes for the beginning marine aquarist. As the genus’ common name—dwarf or pygmy angelfishes—attests, these fishes are smaller than other angelfishes, making them ideal for smaller home aquaria. Many dwarf angelfishes can be kept in an aquarium as small as 30 gallons, although keeping more than one species in the same aquarium generally requires a much larger aquarium. There are more than 30 individual species in the Centropyge genus, but this article will focus on five that are amongst the best pygmy angelfishes for the beginning marine aquarist to try. These five have been select for their size, general hardiness, and the fact that they are the most reef-compatible species. General CareAll of these fishes will benefit from being added last or close to last to a well established aquarium. They should rapidly adapt to a captive diet—try frozen mysis shrimp, meaty crustaceans (e.g. table shrimp and clams) and, as they are omnivores, be sure to include algae such as spirulina as a regular part of their diet. African Flameback Angelfish (Centropyge acanthops) The African Flameback Angelfish, as the name suggests, comes from Africa. Expect this semi-aggressive fish to grow to about three inches in length, making it one of the smallest of the genus. It’s possible to keep this fish in a tank as small as 24 gallons. The African Flameback is similar to the Brazilian Flameback (described next). Plan to keep only one of this species in a tank unless you can obtain a male-female pair or your aquarium is very large. Expect to pay around $65. Brazilian Flameback Angelfish (Centropyge aurantonotus) The Brazilian Flameback Angelfish is from the Western Atlantic (from the Caribbean south to Brazil). Like the African Flameback (described above), it is one if the smallest of the dwarf angelfishes growing to no more than three inches in length. What the Brazilian Flameback lacks in size, it more than makes up for in aggression—for its size, this is one of the more territorial and aggressive angelfishes. Nonetheless, they are beautiful, hardy fish. Plan to keep only one of this species in a tank unless you can obtain a male-female pair or your aquarium is very large. Expect to pay around $55. Cherub Angelfish (Centropyge argi) The Cherub Angelfish is a very popular dwarf angelfish owing to its hardiness, size and price (it is often available for less than half the price of the two flameback angelfishes described above). This is a tropical Western Atlantic fish that stays under three inches. It is quite aggressive, and should not be kept with other members of its own species unless you can obtain a male-female pair or have a very large aquarium. If you do obtain a mated pair, the Cherub Angelfish is one of the most likely in the genus to breed in captivity. Expect to pay around $25. Pacific Pygmy Angelfish (Centropyge flavicauda) If you like the Cherub Angelfish (described above) but want a Pacific species, the Pacific Pygmy Angelfish may be for you. This fish is almost identical to the Cherub Angelfish, although some people like the Cherub’s coloration better owing to the more elaborate facial markings on the latter. It is almost identical in all other ways including size, aggression and suitability for captive breeding. Expect to pay around $25. Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loricula) The Flame Angelfish is perhaps the most popular of the dwarf angelfishes owing to its hardiness and bold red coloration. It is the largest of the dwarf angels discussed here and may grow to six inches in the home aquarium. The Flame Angelfish can be found in the Indo-Pacific, and the ones available to hobbyists are usually collected from Christmas Island, the Cook Islands, the Marshall Islands, Tahiti, or Hawaii. It is aggressive to members of its own species, but generally gets along well with other fishes in a community tank. If you do add this fish to a community reef tank, be sure to add it near the end of your planned stocking. Expect to pay around $45. Additional ResourcesAll 33 Species of Dwarf Angelfishes Excellent "Large" Reef-Safe Angelfishes The Most Expensive Dwarf Angelfishes Online Buyer's Guide to Dwarf Angelfish
The copyright of the article The Best Dwarf Angelfishes in Saltwater Fish is owned by Ret Talbot. Permission to republish The Best Dwarf Angelfishes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|||||
|
|
||||||
