Eibli's Angelfish
Centropyge eibli
Centropyge eibli is a territorial dwarf angelfish with a greyish body, vivid orange stripes, and a neon-blue lined black tail, perfect for large, mature reef setups.
Wassertemperatur
24 - 27 °C
pH-Wert
8.1 - 8.4
Wassertyp
Meerwasser
Tankfüllstand
Unten und in der Mitte
Erwachsenengröße
15 cm
Mindesttankvolumen
>= 150 L
Mindestgruppe
>= 1
KH
8 - 12 dKH
Artbeschreibung
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This species is native to the eastern Indo-Pacific Ocean, ranging from the Cocos-Keeling Islands and Sri Lanka to Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands. It inhabits outer coral reef slopes and deep lagoons with rich coral growth at depths up to 30 meters.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Belonging to the Pomacanthidae family, scientific name Centropyge eibli. It is one of the larger species of dwarf angelfish, reaching an adult size of approximately 15 cm. It possesses the characteristic preopercular spine found on all marine angelfish, used for defense.
Social Behavior: Active, bold, and territorial. In the wild, it lives in small harems consisting of one dominant male and up to several females. It is a benthic grazer, constantly moving through the rockwork to feed on algae. It will defend its territory against similar-looking species.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Features a silvery-grey body color covered with thin, vertical, wavy reddish-orange lines. The eye is ringed in bright orange, and the caudal fin is black with a vivid neon-blue margin. Males are generally larger than females and exhibit brighter colors during spawning displays.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Aquarium Setup: A minimum tank size of 150 liters is required for a single specimen. The aquarium should be structured with plenty of live rock arranged to create caves, overhangs, and swim-throughs, which provide necessary shelter and encourage the growth of microalgae.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous. Provide a varied diet containing marine algae, dried nori sheets, spirulina-based pellets, and specialized angelfish formulations containing sponge material. Supplement with high-quality frozen foods like mysis and brine shrimp to maintain vitality.
Water Quality: Maintain stable reef parameters: temperature 24-27°C (75-81°F), pH 8.1 to 8.4, specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025, and KH 8-12. Excellent filtration with a strong protein skimmer and regular water changes are required to keep ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels at zero.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Reef-safe with caution. It may nip at large polyp stony (LPS) corals, soft corals, and clam mantles, particularly if underfed. Best kept as the sole dwarf angelfish in the tank. Peaceful with active open-water species like damsels and wrasses.
Aquarium Breeding: Protogynous hermaphrodite. Spawns pelagic eggs into the water column. Captive breeding is extremely difficult and rarely achieved in home aquariums due to the pelagic nature of the larvae and their strict requirement for specialized microscopic live feeds.
Risks and Diseases: Highly susceptible to common marine diseases like marine ich (Cryptocaryon) and velvet (Oodinium) under stress. A quarantine period is highly recommended. Prone to lateral line erosion if diet is deficient in key vitamins and minerals.
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
This species is native to the eastern Indo-Pacific Ocean, ranging from the Cocos-Keeling Islands and Sri Lanka to Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands. It inhabits outer coral reef slopes and deep lagoons with rich coral growth at depths up to 30 meters.
Ursprung
Tropische Ozeane und RiffeSüd- und Südostasien
Fischprofil
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Eibli's Angelfish exhibits a semi-aggressive temperament, which is typical for dwarf angelfish of the genus Centropyge. They are generally peaceful toward non-related species that do not share their shape or feeding habits, but they can be highly territorial toward other dwarf angelfish and similar-looking fish. They will often establish a territory within the rockwork and defend it against intruders, especially in smaller tanks. Providing ample space and establishing clear visual barriers in the aquascape will help diffuse their territorial behavior.
- Diät
- Omnivore
- Centropyge eibli is an omnivore with a strong dietary preference for marine algae and detritus, which they graze on throughout the day. In the aquarium, their diet should be diverse, incorporating high-quality spirulina, marine algae, frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and specialized angelfish preparations containing sponge material. Feeding them a variety of foods ensures they receive essential nutrients and helps maintain their vibrant colors. Having a mature tank with established live rock for natural grazing is highly beneficial for their health.
- Lebenserwartung
- 10-15 years
- Erwachsenengröße
- 15 cm
- Geschlechterverhältnis
- Harem
- In the wild, Centropyge eibli naturally forms small harems consisting of one dominant male and several females, where they maintain a clear social hierarchy. In the home aquarium, they are most commonly kept as single specimens to prevent aggressive territorial disputes. If you wish to keep them in groups, a mated pair or a harem can be maintained in a very large aquarium (over 100 gallons) with plenty of hiding spots. It is important to introduce them simultaneously or add smaller females to an established male to minimize aggression.
- Fütterungsfrequenz
- Twice daily
- Eibli's Angelfish should be fed small amounts two to three times daily to replicate their natural grazing behavior. Providing multiple smaller feedings throughout the day helps satisfy their active metabolism and reduces their urge to nip at corals or clams. If the aquarium has a large amount of mature live rock with abundant natural algae growth, the feeding frequency can be adjusted, but supplemental feedings remain important. Consistent feeding schedules will keep the fish healthy, active, and less prone to territorial aggression.
- Bioload
- Medium
- Eibli's Angelfish generates a moderate biological waste load in a home aquarium due to its active foraging habits and constant grazing behavior. While not a massive producer of waste compared to larger angelfish species, they still require an efficient filtration system to maintain low nutrient levels. A well-rated protein skimmer, along with a robust biological filter, is highly recommended to process their waste. Regular water changes of 10% to 20% bi-weekly will help ensure that nitrates and other toxins are kept to a minimum.
- Fluss
- Moderate
- In their natural coral reef habitats, Centropyge eibli experiences moderate to strong water currents, and they prefer similar conditions in the aquarium. A moderate water flow is ideal as it keeps the water well-oxygenated and mimics the reef environment they are adapted to. While they are agile swimmers and can easily navigate stronger currents, they also require calmer areas, such as caves and behind rock structures, to rest. Placing powerheads to create a dynamic flow pattern with some low-flow refuges will support their physical health and comfort.
- Sprungrisiko
- Yes
- While Centropyge eibli is not classified as a high-risk jumper compared to wrasses or firefish, they can still jump out of the tank if startled, chased by aggressive tankmates, or during courtship rituals. To prevent accidental escapes, a tight-fitting lid or a secure mesh cover is highly recommended. Stress from bright lights turning on suddenly or sudden movements outside the tank can also trigger a jumping response. Ensuring adequate hiding places within the rockwork will help them feel secure and choose to dive into cover rather than jump when frightened.
- Reproduktion
- Oviparous
- Breeding Centropyge eibli in captivity is extremely difficult and rarely achieved by hobbyists due to their complex reproduction cycle. They are protogynous hermaphrodites, beginning life as females and transitioning to males based on social cues, such as the absence of a dominant male. They are pelagic spawners, releasing eggs and sperm simultaneously into the water column during twilight hours. Rearing the larvae is the main obstacle, as they require specialized, microscopic live foods like copepod nauplii and need extremely stable water conditions during their long larval stage.
- Kompatibilität & Tankkameraden
- Peaceful
- Eibli's Angelfish is generally compatible with a wide range of marine community fish such as tangs, clownfish, wrasses, and damselfish. However, they can be aggressive toward other dwarf angelfish or fish with similar colors and body shapes, so they should be kept as the only member of their genus in smaller aquariums. When it comes to reef aquariums, they are considered "reef safe with caution" because they may nip at clam mantles, zoanthids, and fleshy LPS corals. Keeping them well-fed and providing plenty of live rock can reduce the risk of coral nipping.
- Tankfüllstand
- Middle/Bottom
- Eibli's Angelfish is an active swimmer that primarily occupies the bottom and middle levels of the aquarium. They spend most of their time weaving through live rock, exploring caves, and searching for algae and microscopic organisms to graze on. Because they rely heavily on rockwork for security, they will rarely venture into open water or near the surface for extended periods. Providing a complex aquascape with plenty of channels and crevices is crucial to encourage their natural swimming and foraging behaviors.
Wissenschaftliche Modelle & Parameter
FishBase
Zugang zu den offiziellen wissenschaftlichen Daten der Art
FishBase v25.04Daten synchronisiert am: 15.06.2026
- Trophäenniveau
- 2,7 ± 0,4 se
- Belastbarkeit
- Mittel (1,4 - 4,4 Jahre)
- Phylogenetische Einzigartigkeit (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayessche Längen-Gewichts-Beziehung
- a = 0.0302, b = 2.89
- AnfälligkeitGeringe Anfälligkeit (10 / 100)
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