pygmy Angelfish ( Centropyge flavicauda )

Scientific Name : Centropyge flavicauda

Reef Compatible : With Caution

Care Level : Beginner

Disposition : Semi-aggressive

Min. Tank Size : 24 gallons

Mature Size : 3 inches

Diet : Omnivore

Range : Fiji, Indo-Pacific

Other Common Names

Whitetail Angelfish, Royal Blue Pygmy Angelfish, Damsel Angelfish

Species Description

Not as popular but just as small as the other dwarf-dwarf or pygmy Angelfish, the Pacific Pygmy Angelfish is very well suited for the smaller aquarium. It looks very similar to the Cherub Angelfish (C. argi) but with less detail around its face and a pale clear or yellow tail as opposed to a dark blue tail.

It shares the same aggression level as its cousins the African and Brazilian Flameback Angelfish so one per tank, please. It is not known for nipping at coral or clam mantles but caution is advised when adding this fish to a reef tank as it is still a Centropyge Angelfish. If a male and female are kept in the same tank together, chances are this species will breed successfully.

The problem of course is obtaining a breeding pair as there is no difference in appearance between males and females. Size becomes the only indicator of sex with males being the larger of the two. Be careful that two males do not end up in the aquarium together because they will fight to the death.