Flame Angelfish care guide
Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loricula) — minimum tank 200 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 8-8.4.
Overview
The Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loricula) is a small dwarf angelfish renowned for an intense red-orange body crossed by 4-5 vertical black bars with electric-blue highlights on the rear dorsal and anal fins. It is one of the most colourful and recognisable members of its genus.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacanthidae
- Genus: Centropyge
- Scientific name: Centropyge loricula
Habitat
Distributed across the central and western Pacific from the Marshall and Line Islands, Palau and Micronesia to Hawaii and the Society Islands. Inhabits clear seaward reefs and lagoon channels at depths of 5-60 metres, sheltering in branching coral and rubble.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L (52.8 US gal)
- Adult size: 8-10 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 5-7 years
- Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12
Diet
An omnivore in the wild, grazing on filamentous algae and aufwuchs while picking small benthic invertebrates. In aquaria a varied diet of spirulina-based pellets, dried marine algae (nori), frozen mysis and enriched brine shrimp supports colour and condition.
Compatibility
Semi-aggressive; tolerates most unrelated tank mates but is hostile to other dwarf angels and similarly coloured fish. House one Centropyge per system unless the tank is exceptionally large with multiple isolated territories. Suitable companions include clownfish, Royal Gramma, gobies, Banggai Cardinalfish and Firefish.
Reef compatibility
Considered "with caution" in reef tanks. Many individuals coexist with corals without issue, but a minority sample stony coral polyps (especially LPS), clam mantles and zoanthids; behaviour is unpredictable, and well-fed specimens with abundant grazing algae tend to be less troublesome.
Breeding
A pelagic broadcast spawner forming harems of one male with several females. Spawning occurs at dusk in the water column; larvae are pelagic for around 30 days. Captive rearing is rare and technically demanding.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is broadly distributed across the central Pacific; the aquarium trade is supplied primarily by wild collection from Hawaii and the Marshall Islands.