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Coral Beauty AngelfishTwospined Angelfish, Dusky Angelfish, Coral BeautyFamily: PomacanthidaeAngelfishWMA_C1608.jpg) Centropyge bispinosaPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David BroughLatest Reader Comment - See More Will they get along with watchmen gobys or firefish gobys?
Donovan H The Coral Beauty Angelfish truly is a "beauty"... and a favorite of many marine hobbyists!Coral Beauty Angel Contents The colorful Coral Beauty Centropyge bispinosa is a very popular dwarf angelfish. Reaching only 4” (10 cm) in size, it's a "fun-size" color version of a large angelfish species, like the Bluegirdled Angelfish, but without the stringent care requirements. Besides being small and attractive, it is hardy, reasonably priced and readily available. In fact, this is the most commonly purchased dwarf angel in the marine aquarium hobby, second only to the Flame Angelfish. It is also called the Twospine Angelfish and Dusky Angelfish. The Coral Beauty is an attractive fish that varies in its intensity of coloration and patterning, depending on where it was collected in the wild. They are typically red or orange with dark bluish striping and a purplish head and fins. But some are blue all over while others can be orange, pale yellow, and even white. They also may or may not have the vertical dark lines on the body or the purplish blue head and fins. A beautiful red-blue combination is a common import from the Philippines. Unlike larger angelfish, colors in these angelfish do not fade as they age. This is a hardy pygmy angel that is generally resistant to disease and a relatively peaceful fish. The Coral Beauty is as intelligent as the larger angelfish and will only be a terror if kept in a smaller tanks where it feels it must defend its little piece of the reef. It can be kept in a spacious community aquarium with fish of a similar size and disposition, and lots of hiding places. They do very little or no harm to invertebrates, although they may be inclined to occasionally peck at tubeworms or coral polyps. It is generally better behaved with corals than other Centropyg e dwarf angels. An individual may nip at LPS and clams, but if they are properly fed they will often ignore corals. According to one source they control many types of growth including certain species of diatom algae; Ulva , some species of Derbesia, and Entermorpha . Coral Beauty Angelfish do best when there is algae actively growing in the tank. Provide lots of rockwork with many cracks and crevices to hide in. This will provide security, and the more secure it feels, the more it will come out into the open. In a sparsely populated 55 gallon tanks they do well, but they do best in 75 gallons, which brings out their easy going personalities. In this environment, they will generally ignore corals and other fish. Look for a specimen that is alert, eating and chubby. They should be hard to catch, yet curious enough that if startled, they will come right back out of their hiding place to see their surroundings. All Coral Beauty Angelfish are born female and can be paired according to size, not necessarily color. The larger fish becomes male, so making a pair is possible by buying a larger Coral Beauty and a smaller Coral Beauty, and within a few months hopefully they will assume their roles as male and female. Dwarf angelfish will spawn in captivity and some are now being raised, yet raising the larvae is quite a difficult task. For more Information on keeping saltwater fish see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Coral Beauty Centropyge bispinosa was described by Gunther in 1860. It is on the IUCN Red List as Least Concerned (LC) with a stable population. This little angelfish is from the Pomacanthidae family, of the genus Centropyge , which currently has over 33 species. It is found from East Africa to the Tuamoto Island then north to the Izu Island and south to Lord Howe Island near Australia. They are not found in the Red Sea, Hawaii or the southern Pacific Ocean. Other common names they are known by are the Coral Beauty Angelfish, Twospined Angelfish, Dusky Angelfish, and Two-spined Angelfish.
The Coral Beauty Angelfish are secretive fish that are found in lagoon and seaward reef slopes which support an abundance of coral growth and algae. They feed on algae, and live alone or in small groups consisting of one male with 2 to 5 females 3-7. As adults they are found at depths of 29 to 148 feet (9 to 45 m). The deeper individuals are much more pale in color than those from shallower waters. They have been reared in captivity.
The C. bispinosa has been observed in Guam, spawning with the Shepard's Pygmy Angelfish Centropyge shepardi .
- Scientific Name: Centropyge bispinosa
- Social Grouping: Pairs - They are found alone or in groups of 3-7 feeding on algae.
- IUCN Red List: LC - Least Concern - A stable population.
The Coral Beauty Angelfish has the typical shape for dwarf angels, having a small elongated oval shape body, with rounded fins. Different specimens can vary in its intensity of coloration and patterning, depending on where it was collected in the wild. They can be almost entirely purple with some orange to orange-yellow barring that consists of dots and dashes. Others will have most of their body covered in orange to yellow, with thin purple lines and dots running over it, yet may still have a purple head and fins. Deeper dwelling individuals will be more pale. The Philippine variety has a beautiful blue-red coloration.
These angels can grow up to 4” (10 cm) and in the wild, can live 10 -15 years or more.
- Maximum Size: 4.0 inches (10.16 cm) - Adult males can grow to 4 inches. Usually smaller specimens (about 1 - 1 3//4 inches) are found in pet stores.
- Lifespan: 10 years - In the wild they live 10 - 15 years, though that may be unlikely in captivity.
The Coral Beauty Angelfish are easy to care, very hardy and generally good eaters. They will take all manner of offered foods and graze on hair algae on live rock. Make sure you get a healthy individual and keep it with compatible tank mates. Also provide multiple places for this shy fish to hide so it will feel secure enough to come out. Be cautious of dwarf angels from the Philippines. Some collectors are known to have used improper capture techniques, such as not allowing the fish to decompress from deeper waters, as well as other mishandling techniques.
- Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner - These fish are easy to care for if you get a healthy individual and provide it with plenty of hiding places and frequent feedings.
The Coral Beauty Angelfish is an omnivore. In the wild it feeds primarily on algae, but it will also ingest tiny animals living in the algae. In captivity their diet will be mostly algae, but also offer some other proteins. Feeding them a variety of good foods is important. Offer various types of fresh and dried marine algae, spirulina enriched foods, mysis shrimp, shaved shrimp and other high-quality meaty foods, angelfish preparations, and flakes or pellets designed for algae eating fish. There are several good commercial foods available including Formula II and Angel Formula. Feed several times a day even if natural foods are present.
- Diet Type: Omnivore - Feeds primarily on algae, but it will also ingest tiny animals living in the algae.
- Flake Food: Yes
- Tablet Pellet: Yes
- Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
- Vegetable Food: Most of Diet
- Meaty Food: Some of Diet
- Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day - Feed several times a day even if natural foods are present.
The Coral Beauty is not as touchy as some of the other species of angelfish, but still needs good water. Water changes of 30% a month, or 15% every 2 weeks is optimal in keeping nitrates lower. If there are corals in the tank, then 20% every month, 10% every 2 weeks or 5% a week works great. Of course, keeping up with your water testing will tell you when your tank needs a water change.
- Water Changes: Bi-weekly
This pygmy angel likes to have lots of rockwork or live rock and rubble type areas to pick natural foods. They need lots of caves and crevices in the rock work to hide in to feel secure. The tank needs to be at least 30 gallons for a single Coral Beauty, and 75 to 100 gallons (283 to 378 l) for a pair. Provide water parameters of: 72-81° F, pH 8.0-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025. In a larger tanks they will generally ignore corals and other fish, but in a smaller aquariums they tend to become quite territorial and aggressive. It is best to introduce this dwarf angel as the last inhabitant into a suitable, mature tank.
- Minimum Tank Size: 30 gal (114 L) - The tank needs to be at least 30 gallons for a single Coral Beauty, and 75 to 100 gallons (283 to 378 l) for a pair.
- Suitable for Nano Tank: No
- Live Rock Requirement: Typical Plus Hiding Places
- Substrate Type: Any
- Lighting Needs: Any - Dim or blue lighting is predominant in its natural deep water environment.
- Temperature: 70.0 - 82.0° F (21.1 - 27.8° C)
- Breeding Temperature: 77° F - At this temperature, hatching is 16 hours after spawning. Longer if water is cooler.
- Specific gravity: 1.018-1.025 SG
- Range ph: 8.0-8.4
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Any - They like some areas of faster water movement.
- Water Region: Bottom - They will also inhabit mid level areas of the tank.
The Coral Beauty may act semi-aggressively toward other fish. Unlike other dwarfs, it doesn't pick on smaller tank mates unless there is competition for algae in a smaller tank. Even in a 55 gallon they can get stressed if there are other algae eating tank mates. Two Coral Beauty males will fight to the death. They do not get along with other dwarf angels unless the tank is well over 100 gallons and there are plenty of hiding places for both. and plenty to eat. Making 2 separate "reefs" in a longer tank helps to "divide the line" so to speak. The Coral Beauty Angelfish is the least likely of all dwarf angels to bother corals when housed in larger tanks.
- Venomous: No
- Temperament: Semi-aggressive - One of the least aggressive Centropyge angelfish
- Same species - conspecifics: Sometimes - Male//Female in tanks over 75 gallons (284 l), males will fight.
- Peaceful fish (gobies, dartfish, assessors, fairy wrasses): Monitor - Safe in larger aquariums, but the Coral Beauty becomes aggressive in a smaller tank.
- Semi-Aggressive (anthias, clownfish, dwarf angels): Safe
- Aggressive (dottybacks, 6-line & 8-line wrasse, damselfish): Safe
- Large Semi-Aggressive (tangs, large angels, large wrasses): Safe
- Large Aggressive, Predatory (lionfish, groupers, soapfish): Monitor - Safe unless the fish is large enough to eat the Coral Beauty Angelfish.
- Slow Swimmers & Eaters (seahorses, pipefish, mandarins): Threat - Slow eater will be out-competed for food.
- Anemones: Monitor
- Mushroom Anemones - Corallimorphs: Monitor
- LPS corals: Monitor
- SPS corals: Monitor
- Gorgonians, Sea Fans: Monitor
- Leather Corals: Safe
- Soft Corals (xenias, tree corals): Monitor
- Star Polyps, Organ Pipe Coral: Monitor
- Zoanthids - Button Polyps, Sea Mats: Monitor
- Sponges, Tunicates: Safe
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - Not aggressive.
- Starfish: Safe
- Feather Dusters, Bristle Worms, Flatworms: Monitor
- Clams, Scallops, Oysters: Monitor
- Copepods, Amphipods, Mini Brittle Stars: Monitor
The male is generally larger than female, but color is not necessarily an indication of sex. Like all Centropyge , these fish are born as female. As they grow in a group, the larger and more dominant fish will become male and the others will remain female. If the male dies, the next dominant female in the hierarchy will turn to male. Putting a larger and smaller fish together is the best way to get a pair, possibly in about two months.
Spawning of Coral Beauty Angels have occurred in hobbyist's aquariums, and there have been successes in rearing the young, but it is difficult. The Coral Beauty spawns similarly to other dwarf angelfish, but there are some differences in the wild. Dwarf angelfish are broadcast spawners, releasing eggs and sperm simultaneously at dusk. Most rise into the water column and releasing eggs and sperm simultaneously at the top, though the Coral Beauty is said to stay closer to the reef rather than going to the top.
Generally a deeper tank is best for most dwarf angelfish, as well as a proper lighting schedule to encourage spawning. Copy the proper dusk light cycle in your aquarium at a consistent time every day by first having 1/2 the lights go out (the brighter lights), then an hour later have the other 1/2 (actinics) go out. The eggs will hatch in just under a day, within 2 to 3 days after hatching they need microscopic algae for their very small mouths. Obviously, this is where raising the babies becomes difficult.
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Mike Evans shares the spawning behavior of his pair of Coral Beauties... thanks Mike!
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The Coral Beauty's spawning happens about an hour before the lights turn off, their timing is phenomenal. The male begins to circle the tank and begins challenging some of the larger fish in the tank, here he challenges my female Cinnamon Clown.The female Coral Beauty begins to become receptive to the dashing movements of the male. The male clamps his fins at times as he swims by her. Then the two meet at the top of the aquarium by a powerhead, The male rubs his nose into her side as she expands her fins in a flashy display, and then they dash off. They go through this false spawn (courting session) many times before the actual spawn. In a split second the eggs are released. The female spurted out 16-20 eggs one time and I was lucky enough to catch them in my net and put them in a glass for this photo. The males dorsal and caudal fins actually completely attach with the back tail to look like one big fin. The female does not have the same fin arrangement. I hope this helps all the people out there that believe in breeding and fish conservation. Angelfish are magnificent fish and I feel very responsible to the ones I have as my own. Good luck to all. .... Mike Evans |
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- Ease of Breeding: Difficult
Providing a dwarf angelfish with plenty of places to hide and clean water is the best way to prevent illness. Calm fish are healthy fish. If not stressed, they will have a stronger immune system to prevent infections. Like other saltwater angelfish, dwarf angelfish can suffer any disease that captive saltwater environments have to offer. Dwarf angelfish are prone to crypt which is the most common disease. Under stress they can also contract Brooklynella, which is a common clownfish disease that kills quickly, and can contract Oodinium (Amyloodinium) infections as well.
Fish problems can be broken into one of (or a combination of) these types: parasites, bacterial disease, fungal disease, or physical ailments (wounds and injuries). To learn all about fish problems and find specific answers, see Aquarium Fish Diseases and Treatments.
The best and first defense to prevent diseases is a quarantine period before introducing a new fish. Quarantine tanks should be bare with a PVC tube where the fish can hide. Do regular water changes every day or so. Secondly, fresh water dips can also help to kill anything that is on their body that may spread. PH and temperature must be the same (just use baking soda to bring up the PH if you have soft water but use a test). Start with 5 minutes and up to 15 minutes if they are not showing any signs of distress. This is really only needed if you see anything on their body or if the back fin is starting to fray.
Dwarf angelfish diseases and treatments:
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Parasitic diseases
Dwarf angelfish are prone to parasites like Saltwater Ich or White Spot Disease (Crypt), which is the most common disease. Symptoms of crypt are constant scratching and flashing, culminating with numerous white dots all over the body and fins. These dots disappear for a few days, only to return with double the number. This results in the fish suffocating from these parasites blocking the gills from providing oxygen.-
Treatment of parasites
For external parasites such as Crypt, slowly increase the temperature of your tank just at least 82°F (28°C). That will prevent the parasite from completing it’s life cycle which includes the attachment to fish.
Seachem makes products called Focus and Metronidazole. This treatment can be used in a reef aquarium since the medication is bound to the food, which even if the corals eat, will not hurt them.
The Focus (bonding agent) is mixed 5 to 1 with their Metronidazole (one part Metro to 5 parts Focus) and this is mixed this with 1 tablespoon of food and feed to the fish 3 times a day for at least a week or until symptoms are gone. The combination of the higher temperature and food and medication combo will provide timely relief.
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Treatment of parasites
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Bacterial Diseases
As with all dwarf angels, they are also vulnerable to bacterial diseases. Vibrio bacteria, which starts as an internal infection, turns into Dropsy, Popeye, Bleeding or Red Streaks on the skin. It is a very fast acting bacteria that will kill your angelfish in days. One way it typically starts is with an innocently frayed back fin. This disease will quickly spread and kill your fish within 2 days.-
Treatment of bacterial diseases
Fresh water dips are an important step to kill anything that is on their body that may spread. PH and temperature must be the same (just use baking soda to bring up the PH if you have soft water but use a test). Start with 5 minutes and up to 15 minutes if they are not showing any signs of distress. This is really only needed if you see anything on their body or if the back fin is starting to fray. They are also prone to Brooklynella, Hexamita, Velvet Disease and Amyloodinium. Only treat in 1/2 doses any medications containing cleated copper as all angelfish are sensitive to this element in it's free form.
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Treatment of bacterial diseases
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Fungal Diseases
Dwarf angelfish are also prone to Brooklynella, Hexamita, Velvet Disease and Amyloodinium.-
Treatment of fungal diseases
Only treat in 1/2 doses any medications containing cleated copper as all angelfish are sensitive to this element in its free form.
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Treatment of fungal diseases
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Physical Ailments
Physical Ailments are often the result of the environment, either water conditions or incompatible tankmates. Poor quality water conditions can lead to fish gasping, not eating, jumping out of the tank, and more. Tank mate problems can result in nipped fins and bite wounds.-
Treatment for physical ailments
Look for and remove bully fish. Products on the market to help include stress relievers like Melefix, Wound Treat, and Bio Bandage.
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Treatment for physical ailments
The Coral Beauty Angelffish is usually available online and in stores, and are quite affordable.
- Animal-World References: Marine and Reef
- Centropyge bispinosa Twospined angelfish, Fishbase
- Centropyge bispinosa, IUNC Red List, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
- Scott W. Michael, Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes: Reef Fishes Series , Microcosm Ltd, 2004
- Scott W. Michael, Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species, T.F.H Publications inc., 1999
- Mark Allen, Roger Steene and Gerald R. Allen, A Guide to Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes , Odyssey Publishing, 1998
- Roger Steene, Gerald R. Allen, Hans A. Baensch, Butterfly and Angelfishes of the World, Volume 1, John Wiley & Sons, 1980
- Bob Goemans, Centropyge bispinosus Coral Beauty/Two-spined Angelfish, Saltcorner.com
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