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Flame Angel

Scientific Name Centropyge loricula
Reef Compatible Yes, with caution
Care Level Easy to Moderate
Disposition Territorial Against other Dwarf Species
Minimum Tank Size 30 gallons
Mature Size 4 inches
Placement in tank All Levels
Diet Mostly Omnivorous
Origin South Pacific and Western Pacific, Hawaii, Australia, Coral Sea, Great Barrier Reef

Identification: The Flame Angel is part of the Dwarf or Pygmy Angelfishes genus.
Hawaiian specimens tend to be larger and have a deeper, more vibrant red color than those of the Indo-Pacific region, which are more orangish-red in color. The stripes on all species are still the same deep, almost fluorescent, deep blue-purple color. With the color and size variations of this species from different geographic locations, and the fact that Hawaiian Flame Angels are not abundant, the Hawaiian species are usually more expensive, not to mention desirable. (source-about.com)

Origin: In nature the flame angel can be found in the South Pacific and Western Pacific, Hawaii, Australia, Coral Sea, Great Barrier Reef waters.

Mature Size: Can range from 3-4 inches.

Care Level: The Flame Angel is a relatively easy fish to keep, as it will adapt well to captivity. Provide plenty of hiding spots in your aquarium to allow this fish to find shelter. A live rock set up is a good choice that offers many spots for shelter as well as proving natural algae on the rock for the fish to pick at.

Disposition: The Flame Angelfish is best kept singly or in a mated pair, as their natural territorial tendencies are to pick on other pygmy angelfish species. They are also a fish that shows its unique personality as it swims about the tank.

Reef Tank Compatible: Due to its natural tendencies to pick at rocks to find food sources. This fish may pick or nip at many fleshy type invertebrates such as, tridacnid clams, zoanthids, soft corals, and even large polyp stony corals. This nipping may result in stressing the invertebrate ultimately not opening up over time. Many hobbyist have found this to be more of a hit or miss in a reef tank environment. So use caution. Depending on the size of your tank and the diversity of tank inhabitants you might not have any issues.

Diet & Feeding: The Flame Angel is an omnivore that eats both plant and meaty foods. It prefers areas of live rock with some algae growth to graze on. It will eat most any type of food offered and it will fend for itself. It is also a good diatom algae feeder and will pick at the algae on your tanks glass if not cleaned regularly.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 11:35 am and is filed under Species Profile. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.