Purplemask Angelfish

From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer

Centropyge venustus - (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969)
Purplemask Angelfish

Its wild diet unknown, this species seldom adapts to captivity. Scott W. Michael

[edit] Overview

This is an attractive and prized species, but often difficult to keep. Many individuals are reluctant to accept aquarium foods. A prospective purchase should be active, feeding, and have a full-looking stomach. Provide with plenty of suitable hiding places, including rocky caves and overhangs, and house with nonaggressive fishes.

Family: Pomacanthidae

Other common name(s):

  • Venusta Angelfish

Native range:

Habitat: Outer reef slopes, in caves and in the shadows under ledges, where it is is often seen hanging upside-down. Because it is a cave dweller in the wild, it will often spend more time in the open if housed in a dimly lit tank.

Maximum length: 12 cm (5 in)

Minimum aquarium size: 208 L (55 gal)

Lighting: Will acclimate better in reduced lighting situations.

Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)

General swimming level: Midwater to bottom.

[edit] Feeding

Difficult to feed. Varied diet, including vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, finely-chopped crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, as well as frozen preparations for angelfishes and herbivores. It might also feed on microalgae, detritus, and live sponges growing on live rock. Feed at least 3 times daily.

[edit] Aquarium Compatibility

This is a typical dwarf angelfish. It can be kept in a reef aquarium, but some individuals may start to nip at large-polyped stony corals and clam mantles.

[edit] Special Care

Best kept singly, in a male-female pair or a harem (one male and several females).

[edit] Breeding/Propagation

Not reported in captivity. Pelagic eggs and larvae.

Reference: 101 Best Saltwater Fishes
Image credit: SWM
Text credit: SWM
Facts about Purplemask AngelfishRDF feed
Common name Purplemask Angelfish  +, and Venusta Angelfish  +
Family Pomacanthidae  +
Genus Centropyge  +
Image credit SWM  +
Lighting Will acclimate better in reduced lighting situations.  +
Maximum length 5 in  +
Minimum aquarium size 55 gal  +
Native range Western Pacific  +, Japan  +, and Philippines  +
Reference 101 Best Saltwater Fishes  +
Specific name venustus  +
Swimming level Midwater to bottom.  +
Text credit SWM  +
Water max temp 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F)  +
Water min temp 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F)  +
Water type Marine  +
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