Pearlscale Angel Care Guide
Centropyge vroliki is an Indo-Pacific dwarf angelfish with a pale pearlescent body darkening toward the tail, feeding on algae and sponges.
Overview
Centropyge vroliki, the pearlscale angelfish, is a dwarf angel of the family Pomacanthidae first described by Bleeker in 1853 and named for the anatomist Willem Vrolik. The pale greyish to brownish body has whitish scale centres that darken toward the tail, with an orange gill area and blue-margined fins. It reaches about 12 cm total length.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacanthidae
- Genus: Centropyge
- Scientific name: Centropyge vroliki
Habitat
Found throughout the Indo-Pacific from Christmas Island east to Vanuatu and the Marshall Islands, north to Taiwan and south to Lord Howe Island. It inhabits lagoons and seaward reefs with dense coral growth at depths of about 1-25 m.
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: 12-14 cm
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
Diet
Primarily herbivorous, feeding on filamentous algae and sponges. In aquaria it needs a mature tank with microalgae for grazing plus marine algae and prepared foods.
Reef compatibility
Reef compatibility is variable; like other Centropyge it may nip coral polyps and clam mantles, with larger tanks reducing the 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 practises sequential hermaphroditism, with a female changing to male when no male occupies the harem. It hybridizes with C. eibli and C. flavissima where their ranges overlap.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern.