Flame Angel
From ReefPedia
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[edit] Flame AngelScientific Name Centropyge loricula Max. Size: 4" Tank Size: 30 gallons Aggression: semi-aggresive Hardiness: New additions can be difficult to acclimate but once acclimated they are a hardy fish. Reef-Safe: With caution - some will nip corals, clams and inverts while others are model citizens. Available as captive-bred: Yes |
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Physical Description
Mainly a red/orange fish with vertical black lines and blue tipped anal and dorsal fins.
Distribution
Palau to the Hawaiian islands. Commonly taken from around the Marshall and Christmas islands.
Taxonomic Stuff you know you Care About
- Family: Pomacanthidae
- Genus: Centropyge
- Species: loricula
Behavior
These fish will spend a lot of time in the rockwork. When not in the rocks, they will probably be out grazing on it. Two of the same species should not be housed together unless the tank is large enough for each to set up and maintain their own territories.
Feeding
Omnivore
Breeding
Has recently been bred in captivity, though due to cost, most specimens available are wild-caught.
Social Structure
Like most Centropyge species, the Flame Angel may act aggressively toward other Centropyge angels. In a large tank of 100+ gallons, the situation will usually come under control. In smaller tanks, only one Centropyge angel is recommended.
Current Views
- Undeniably beautiful, this fish is an attractive prospect yet a risky one since it may nip at clams and corals.
Additional Notes
This showy angel is probably the most commonly kept species of the dwarf angels. Because these fish like living among the rocks, they are often collected using cyanide. This leaves you with a fish that is doomed. For this reason you should probably not buy one on impulse and instead try to have it held for a couple weeks to make sure it will be ok.
These fish should go into well established systems with a lot of rock to graze on and many caves in the rock work for them to hide in.
