Halfblack Angelfish
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
A commendable beginner's angelfish, durable and with interesting behaviors. Scott W. Michael
[edit] Overview
With subtle coloration highlighted by bright-orange eyeliner, this is an attractive fish and one of the more durable smaller angels.
Its color is mimicked by the Chocolate Surgeonfish (Acanthurus pyroferus) and it will commonly hybridize with several other pygmy angel species.
As a first angelfish, it provides all the captivating behaviors of its family without being hard to keep.
Family: Pomacanthidae
Other common name(s):
- Pearlscale Angelfish
Native range:
Habitat: Reef, coral rubble zones and/or sandy lagoon areas with macroalgae. Provide plenty of places where it can hide.
Maximum length: 12 cm (5 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 209 L (55 gal)
Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
General swimming level: All levels, usually near substrate.
[edit] Feeding
Omnivore. Feed a variety of meaty and algae-based foods at least twice a day—perhaps less where lots of algae growth is present.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
This fish is not overly pugnacious, but has been known to chastise newly added fishes that are smaller or more mild-mannered. If you plan to keep it with these types of fishes, add the angel to the tank last and be sure there are plenty of places for it to hide. The Halfblack Angelfish can be kept in pairs, or if the tank is large enough (e.g., 180 gallons [684 L]), it is possible to keep a group.
[edit] Breeding/Propagation
Egg scatterers that produce pelagic eggs, often in midwater mating rituals. Both eggs and larvae that drift with plankton in the water column and settle back onto a reef at about the time of metamorphosis. These are among the most challenging types of marine fishes to propagate in captivity.
[edit] Notes
It is imperative to keep only one male, as they will fight incessantly. Males tend to be larger than females. It is not a great risk to corals, but like many in the genus may go astray and begin nipping at xeniid soft corals, large-polyped stony corals and clam mantles.
| Common name | Halfblack Angelfish +, and Pearlscale Angelfish + |
| Family | Pomacanthidae + |
| Genus | Centropyge + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Maximum length | 5 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 55 gal + |
| Native range | Eastern Indian Ocean +, Western Pacific +, and Tonga + |
| Reference | 101 Best Saltwater Fishes + |
| Specific name | vrolikii + |
| Swimming level | All levels, usually near substrate. + |
| Text credit | SWM + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |