ILuvMyGoldBarb
06-07-2009, 08:11 PM
Without a doubt, this is the most popular genus of fish in the aquarium hobby. These fish rarely exceed 15cm in length, and as such they are a popular choice for aquariums that are 30-55 gallons. This is the largest genus in the Pomacanthid family with 34 species. Many of the members of this genus are suitable for the home aquarium and are available commercially, however there are a couple to be avoided, and a few that are either extremely rare in the hobby, or non-existent in the hobby.
Dietary requirements for this genus are virtually the same for all species contained therein. The Centropyge species are omnivorous and enjoy a very balanced varied diet. Mysid shirmp, Spirulina, and algae comprise the largest parts of the fish's daily diet, and as such, when kept in the home aquarium a diet containing these things should also be offered. These fish are given to grazing on algae and when none is available in the home aquarium, dried Nori should be offered.
There is much debate as to the safety of these fish in a reef tank. While most reef keepers do not experience any issues with these fish nipping at coral polyps, they can be unpredictable and this experience could easily vary with individual specimens. If the hobbyist is going to keep any member of this genus in a reef tank, close observation should be made to ensure no coral damage is being done.
The most popular member of this genus is, without a doubt, Centropyge loricula - The Flame Angel. Found on Western, Southern, and Central Pacific reefs, this fish is distinguished by is brilliant red colorations and dark stripes with blue tips to the dorsal and anal fins. Depending on the region these fish are found, the red coloration may gradate into a brilliant orange on the sides, thus giving the fish it's popular common. Second only to the Flame Angel in popularity is the beautiful Centropyge bisinosai – Coral Beauty (aka Twospined Angel). This fish is deep purple with a yellow patch on it's belly and depending on the geographic region, there may even be a yellow patch on it's side.
Members of the Centropyge genus:
Centropyge abeii -
Centropyge acanthops – Orangeback Angelfish
Centropyge argi – Cherub Angel
Centropyge aurantia – Golden Angel
Centropyge aurantonotus – Flameback Angel
Centropyge bicolor – Bicolor Angel
Centropyge bisponsa – Coral Beauty
Centropyge boylei – Peppermint Angel
Centropyge colini – Cocos-Keeling Angel
Centropyge debelius – Blue Mauritius Angel
Centropyge eibli – Blacktail Angel
Centropyge ferrugata – Rusty Angel
Centropyge fisheri – Orange Angel (aka Fisher's Angel)
Centropyge flavicauda – Whitetail Angel
Centropyge flavipectoralis – Yellowfin Angel
Centropyge flavissima – Lemonpeel Angel
Centropyge heraldi – Herald's Angel (aka False Lemonpeel)
Centropyge hotumatua – Blackear Angel
Centropyge interruptus – Japanese Angel
Centropyge joculator – Yellowhead Angel
Centropyge loricula – Flame Angel
Centropyge multicolor – Multicolor Angel
Centropyge multifasciata – Barred Angel
Centropyge multispinis – Dusky Angel
Centropyge nahackyi – Nahacky's Angel
Centropyge narcosis – Narc Angel
Centropyge nigriocella – Blackspot Angel
Centropyge nox – Midnight Angel
Centropyge potteri – Potter's Angel
Centropyge replendens – Resplendent Angel
Centropyge shepardi – Shepard's Angel (aka Mango Angel)
Centropyge tibicen – Keyhole Angel
Centropyge venustus – Purplemask Angel
Centropyge vrolikii – Halfblack Angel (aka Pearlscale Angel)
Dietary requirements for this genus are virtually the same for all species contained therein. The Centropyge species are omnivorous and enjoy a very balanced varied diet. Mysid shirmp, Spirulina, and algae comprise the largest parts of the fish's daily diet, and as such, when kept in the home aquarium a diet containing these things should also be offered. These fish are given to grazing on algae and when none is available in the home aquarium, dried Nori should be offered.
There is much debate as to the safety of these fish in a reef tank. While most reef keepers do not experience any issues with these fish nipping at coral polyps, they can be unpredictable and this experience could easily vary with individual specimens. If the hobbyist is going to keep any member of this genus in a reef tank, close observation should be made to ensure no coral damage is being done.
The most popular member of this genus is, without a doubt, Centropyge loricula - The Flame Angel. Found on Western, Southern, and Central Pacific reefs, this fish is distinguished by is brilliant red colorations and dark stripes with blue tips to the dorsal and anal fins. Depending on the region these fish are found, the red coloration may gradate into a brilliant orange on the sides, thus giving the fish it's popular common. Second only to the Flame Angel in popularity is the beautiful Centropyge bisinosai – Coral Beauty (aka Twospined Angel). This fish is deep purple with a yellow patch on it's belly and depending on the geographic region, there may even be a yellow patch on it's side.
Members of the Centropyge genus:
Centropyge abeii -
Centropyge acanthops – Orangeback Angelfish
Centropyge argi – Cherub Angel
Centropyge aurantia – Golden Angel
Centropyge aurantonotus – Flameback Angel
Centropyge bicolor – Bicolor Angel
Centropyge bisponsa – Coral Beauty
Centropyge boylei – Peppermint Angel
Centropyge colini – Cocos-Keeling Angel
Centropyge debelius – Blue Mauritius Angel
Centropyge eibli – Blacktail Angel
Centropyge ferrugata – Rusty Angel
Centropyge fisheri – Orange Angel (aka Fisher's Angel)
Centropyge flavicauda – Whitetail Angel
Centropyge flavipectoralis – Yellowfin Angel
Centropyge flavissima – Lemonpeel Angel
Centropyge heraldi – Herald's Angel (aka False Lemonpeel)
Centropyge hotumatua – Blackear Angel
Centropyge interruptus – Japanese Angel
Centropyge joculator – Yellowhead Angel
Centropyge loricula – Flame Angel
Centropyge multicolor – Multicolor Angel
Centropyge multifasciata – Barred Angel
Centropyge multispinis – Dusky Angel
Centropyge nahackyi – Nahacky's Angel
Centropyge narcosis – Narc Angel
Centropyge nigriocella – Blackspot Angel
Centropyge nox – Midnight Angel
Centropyge potteri – Potter's Angel
Centropyge replendens – Resplendent Angel
Centropyge shepardi – Shepard's Angel (aka Mango Angel)
Centropyge tibicen – Keyhole Angel
Centropyge venustus – Purplemask Angel
Centropyge vrolikii – Halfblack Angel (aka Pearlscale Angel)