Flameback Angelfish

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Western Atlantic: from the southern Caribbean Sea to southern Brazil. Inhabits coral reefs and rubble-strewn slopes at depths between 5 and 35 meters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Belongs to the family Pomacanthidae, genus Centropyge. Features a laterally compressed body, rounded fins, and a prominent spine on the preoperculum. Grows to 8.0 cm.

Social Behavior: Territorial and bold. Often found singly or in small, stable harems consisting of one dominant male and a few females.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Also known as the Brazilian Flameback Angelfish; highly territorial toward other dwarf angels. Males are typically larger than females and may show slightly more pointed tips on the dorsal and anal fins.

Aquarium Setup: Requires a tank of at least 120.0 liters with plenty of live rock arranged to create tunnels, caves, and visual barriers. Moderate current.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous. Feeds on algae and detritus in the wild. Provide spirulina, nori, high-quality pellets, and frozen foods like mysis and brine shrimp.

Water Quality: Maintain stable marine conditions: temperature 22.0-26.0 °C, pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.021-1.025.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Semi-reef safe. May nip at LPS corals, soft corals, or clam mantles. Monitor carefully in coral reef setups.

Aquarium Breeding: Protogynous hermaphrodite. Broadcast spawner. Spawning may occur in large tanks, but rearing the pelagic larvae is extremely challenging.

Risks and Diseases: Susceptible to marine velvet (Oodinium) and ich (Cryptocaryon) during acclimation or stress. May damage delicate corals.