Hobbyist's Corner

Some of the saltwater aquarists' favorite fish are in the family Pomacanthidae, or Angelfish. Of this family, the genus Centropyge (or pygmy angel) is best suited for home aquariums due to their smaller size. A few of the most popular fish in this group are the Bicolor Angel, Coral Beauty, Lemonpeel, Eiblii and definitely the most colorful fish of the grouping, the Flame Angel.

In the wild, Centropyge Angels are found in pairs, with several pairs sharing the same area. However, in the confines of a small-sized aquarium they should be kept singly, as they do become quarrelsome. In a larger aquarium (over 55 gallons) they can be kept in pairs, and make a very interesting addition to the tank environment. Being very shy, they never stray far from a safe retreat, so make sure there are plenty of caves and overhangs when decorating the tank.

Food requirements for the centropyge species are relatively simple. They are all grazers and will feed on algae growing on decorations and the sides of the tank.

You will want to supplement this with chopped meat foods such as crustaceans, krill and even earthworms. There are even foods specifically blended for angels. Treats of live brine or other live foods will be greatly appreciated by all your fish, and are well worth the effort.

Good water conditions are a must for centropyges. They often go on hunger strikes after changes in water chemistry or other changes in their environment. This can be broken by offering live brine until they have had time to settle down in their new surroundings. Centropyge Angelfish are a long-lived fish, and will reward their owner with many years of beautiful viewing.

Centropyge angelfish don't grow large- usually only to 2 or 3 inches, and eat a variety of prepared foods. This makes them ideal for hobbyists who have 20 or 30 gallon marine aquariums

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