Rafi Amar, Israel
Info
(Norman, 1922)
Centropyge acanthops is also known as the African Pygmy Angelfish, African Flameback Angelfish and Orangeback Angelfish. He has striking contrasts of blue and orange-yellow colors.
While the body is predominately blue, there is a broad, bright orange to yellow swatch from the head along the back to the tip of the dorsal fin. The caudal fin is yellow and somewhat transparent, which helps to distinguish it from Centropyge aurantonotus (Brazilian Flameback Angelfish).
Centropyge acanthops requires a tank with lots of hiding places as the most Pygmy Angels and lots of live rock for grazing. On occasions this fish may nip at SPS and some species of polyp corals in the reef aquarium.
The diet of Centropyge acanthops should include marine algae, angelfish preparations, mysid or frozen shrimp, and other high-quality meaty foods.
Sex and mating
The $lat are female from birth. If two fish are put together, then the more dominant animal becomes the male (=protogyne hermaphrodite).
It is best to put two fish of different sizes at the same time. If a fish is already present, then the new fish should be either much smaller or larger. If a larger fish is added, which would be an advantage, then the internal aggression is not as pronounced. The difference in size can be an advantage when pairing up, but there will still be scuffles until the sexing is complete.
In nature,dwarf emperors live in pairs or in harem groups, i.e., one male with several females, usually among coral reefs.
Reefsafe
Anyone who purchases a $lat must expect that this LPS will nibble on or damage SPS corals, giant clams, and gorgonians. Of course, there may be differences depending on the individual animal, which is repeatedly reported in many forums. In terms of its general diet, $lat feeds mainly on algae, small invertebrates, and sponges. Nibbling is in the fish's genes, so it is just as common in captive-bred fish as it is in wild-caught fish. Perhaps not quite as strongly.
Keeping the fish in pairs can sometimes help, but it can also cause even more damage by imitating the partner.
If the coral is growing very well or has reached a certain size, the damage caused by nibbling should be tolerable.
Synonyms:
Centropyges acanthops (Norman, 1922)
Holacanthus acanthops Norman, 1922
Xiphipops acanthops (Norman, 1922)
Centropyge acanthops is also known as the African Pygmy Angelfish, African Flameback Angelfish and Orangeback Angelfish. He has striking contrasts of blue and orange-yellow colors.
While the body is predominately blue, there is a broad, bright orange to yellow swatch from the head along the back to the tip of the dorsal fin. The caudal fin is yellow and somewhat transparent, which helps to distinguish it from Centropyge aurantonotus (Brazilian Flameback Angelfish).
Centropyge acanthops requires a tank with lots of hiding places as the most Pygmy Angels and lots of live rock for grazing. On occasions this fish may nip at SPS and some species of polyp corals in the reef aquarium.
The diet of Centropyge acanthops should include marine algae, angelfish preparations, mysid or frozen shrimp, and other high-quality meaty foods.
Sex and mating
The $lat are female from birth. If two fish are put together, then the more dominant animal becomes the male (=protogyne hermaphrodite).
It is best to put two fish of different sizes at the same time. If a fish is already present, then the new fish should be either much smaller or larger. If a larger fish is added, which would be an advantage, then the internal aggression is not as pronounced. The difference in size can be an advantage when pairing up, but there will still be scuffles until the sexing is complete.
In nature,dwarf emperors live in pairs or in harem groups, i.e., one male with several females, usually among coral reefs.
Reefsafe
Anyone who purchases a $lat must expect that this LPS will nibble on or damage SPS corals, giant clams, and gorgonians. Of course, there may be differences depending on the individual animal, which is repeatedly reported in many forums. In terms of its general diet, $lat feeds mainly on algae, small invertebrates, and sponges. Nibbling is in the fish's genes, so it is just as common in captive-bred fish as it is in wild-caught fish. Perhaps not quite as strongly.
Keeping the fish in pairs can sometimes help, but it can also cause even more damage by imitating the partner.
If the coral is growing very well or has reached a certain size, the damage caused by nibbling should be tolerable.
Synonyms:
Centropyges acanthops (Norman, 1922)
Holacanthus acanthops Norman, 1922
Xiphipops acanthops (Norman, 1922)
