Black-spot Angelfish

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Pacific Ocean: Line Islands, Johnston Atoll, and Mariana Islands. Found in rubble areas and shallow dead coral reefs.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the family Pomacanthidae. Grows to a maximum length of 6 cm. Smallest of the Centropyge genus, with a pointed snout.

Social Behavior: Highly cryptic and reclusive. Spends its entire life within coral rubble crevices. Rarely leaves shelter or swims in the water column.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Pale cream to yellowish-white body, featuring a prominent black spot at the rear of the dorsal fin and another on the anal fin margin. Genders look alike.

Aquarium Setup: Needs a mature tank of at least 340 liters. Provide extensive rocky rubble zones with narrow caves. Ensure low-intensity lighting areas.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivore. Grazes on algae and benthic film. Feed multiple small portions daily of frozen mysis, cyclops, and marine angelfish diets containing sponge.

Water Quality: Maintain stable parameters: temperature 25-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025 SG. High-grade filtration is mandatory.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Peaceful but very shy. Keep only with gentle, passive fish (e.g. small gobies, cardinalfish). May nip at corals if underfed.

Aquarium Reproduction: Broadcast spawner. No captive breeding reports exist due to the extreme rarity of this species in the aquarium trade.

Risks and Diseases: High risk of stress-induced starvation. Prone to marine ich if harassed by active tankmates. Requires a quiet environment.