| Scientific Name: |
Centropyge loricula |
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| Species Authority: | Günther, 1874 |
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| Family: |
Pomacanthidae |
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| Common Name: |
Flame Angelfish, Flame Angel, Dwarf Flame Angelfish, Flammen-Zwergkaiserfisch (DE) |
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| Distribution: |
Pacific Ocean: mainly in tropical waters. It is found in various reefs of Oceania, most common in Marshall, Line, and Cook Islands. The fish is also, although less commonly, found in the Hawaiian islands. |
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| Environment: |
Reef-associated; non-migratory; brackish; marine; depth range 15 to 60 meters. They are benthopelagic and found in clear lagoon and seaward reefs from the lower surge zone to a depth of 57 meters. Secretive and stays near shelter. |
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| Reef Safe: | With caution - The Flame Angelfish is prone to nip at stony and soft corals (sessile invertebrates) and clam mantles. |
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| Minimum Tank Size: | 200 liters, preferrably larger |
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| Tank Set-up: | Marine aquarium with plenty of live rocks / rocks, live sand, macroalgae. They require holes, nooks and crannies to dart in and out of so adjust your liverock to this type of scape. It is ideal for them to have algae growing on the rocks which they will pick on in between meals. |
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| Water Region: | Bottom, Middle, Top - All over the tank. |
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| Lighting: | High lighting |
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| Water Flow: | Moderate to strong. Flame Angelfish need a tank with moderate to strong water circulation. |
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| Size: |
Up to 12 cm |
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| Lifespan: |
5 to 7 years or longer. |
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| Diet: |
Omnivore - But it is very important to supply with a balanced diet of .algae and meaty marine foods. The diet of the Flame Angelfish should consist of Spirulina, marine algae, high-quality angelfish preparations, vitamin-enriched mysid or frozen shrimp, and other high-quality meaty items. Angelfish from the genus centropyge are all grazers in the wild. They constantly scan the rock for food items throughout the day, much like surgeonfish. They consume algae, tiny crustaceans and sometimes even detritus. When it comes to eating, they are not as picky as some other saltwater fish. |
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| Temperament: |
Aggressive. Like many marine Angelfishes, the Flame Angelfish can get rather aggressive, especially towards other members of the genus. May become territorial and may bully other Dwarf Angelfish, and even smaller tank mates. One Flame Angel per tank is general rule of thumb, unles of course they are a mated pair. If the Flame Angelfish is to be added to a peaceful community, it should be the last fish introduced. The Flame Angelfish is known to be shy upon introduction to an established aquarium (especially smaller specimens) but within a week or so, it will gain confidence and is then constantly seen grazing around live rock during the day. |
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| Care Level: |
Moderate |
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| Resilience: |
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months. |
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| Reproduction: | Egg Scatterer, Protogynous Hermaphrodite - Where no male is present a dominant female will undergo a sex change and become male. In the wild, these fish form harems of 3-7 individuals. They have been successfully bred in captivity but it's very difficult to sustain the brood and there are very few reported sucesses of breeding in an aquarium.
Breeding in the wild takes place after the sun sets. The female or females wait for the arrival of the male each evening. After the male chooses to breed with one of them he nudges the female up the water column until they are properly positioned to release both sperm and eggs. The fertilized eggs float up to the ocean surface where they float until they hatch or are eaten. Upon hatching they begin feasting on the planktonic soup that is present at the surface. Which is mainly larvae from other fishes and invertabrates. It is not clear at what point (or at what age) they begin migrating back down towards the reef but such an event must occur. |
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| Gender: |
No reliable information available - Males may be larger and slightly more colorful than the females. |
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| Special Requirement/s: |
It is very important to acclimate this fish slowly to your tank. Avoid keeping them with larger Eels, Lionfish or any fish large enough to eat them. A good amount of live rocks will provide both shelter and food source and will contribute largely to the well-being of these beautiful fish. |
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| Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated |
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