Japanese Pygmy Angel Care Guide
Centropyge interrupta is a cool-water western Pacific dwarf angelfish with an orange body and blue spots, native to southern Japan.
Overview
Centropyge interrupta, the Japanese angelfish, is a dwarf angel of the family Pomacanthidae described by Tanaka in 1918. It has an orangey-yellow body with purplish-blue spots and a bright yellow tail; juveniles show a blue-margined black ocellus on the rear dorsal fin. It reaches about 15 cm total length.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacanthidae
- Genus: Centropyge
- Scientific name: Centropyge interrupta
Habitat
Found in the western Pacific around southern Japan, the Izu and Ogasawara Islands, and US waters at Midway, Kure and Pearl and Hermes Atolls. It lives on rocky reefs rich in coral and algae at depths of about 15-60 m and prefers cooler water than most dwarf angels.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- dKH: 8-12
- Adult size: 12-15 cm
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
Diet
Feeds on algae, benthic invertebrates and sponges. In aquaria it needs a mature tank with microalgae plus varied small foods including mysis and prepared angelfish diets.
Reef compatibility
Reef compatibility is variable; it may nip coral polyps and sessile invertebrates. Note its preference for cooler water; 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 oviparous and monogamous, usually encountered in pairs. Females change to males at about 12.7 cm; the transition takes 20-39 days. It has been bred and reared in captivity.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. It is uncommon in the aquarium trade and can command high prices.