Rusty Angel Care Guide
Centropyge ferrugata is a western Pacific dwarf angelfish with a brownish-orange body and black spots, considered relatively reef-tolerant.
Overview
Centropyge ferrugata, the rusty angelfish, is a dwarf angel of the family Pomacanthidae described by Randall and Burgess in 1972. It has a brownish-orange body with black spots on the upper flanks and bright blue margins on the dorsal, anal and caudal fins. It reaches about 10 cm total length.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacanthidae
- Genus: Centropyge
- Scientific name: Centropyge ferrugata
Habitat
Found in the western Pacific from Tanabe Bay in southern Japan to southern Taiwan and the Philippines. It lives on seaward rocky reefs and rubble with dense algal growth, occurring solitarily or in small groups at depths of about 6-30 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 250 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- dKH: 8-12
- Adult size: 9-10 cm
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
Diet
Grazes filamentous algae mats and also consumes detritus, coral polyps, sponges and small gastropods. In aquaria it needs a mature tank with microalgae plus marine algae and prepared foods.
Reef compatibility
Often regarded as one of the more reef-tolerant dwarf angels, though it may still nip coral polyps and sponges. A mature tank with abundant grazing reduces risk. Maintain specific gravity 1.024-1.026 and dKH 8-12.
Compatibility
Semi-aggressive, especially toward other dwarf angels; avoid keeping multiple Centropyge in one tank and avoid aggressive damsels. Suitable tankmates include tangs, clownfish, wrasses and gobies.
Breeding
It is a protogynous hermaphrodite in which the dominant female converts to male if no male is present in the group.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern.