Animal-World > Marine - Saltwater Fish > Marine Angelfish > Coral Beauty Angel

Coral Beauty

Two-spined Angel ~ Dusky Angel Family: Pomacanthidae

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Centropyge bispinosa Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   A favorite of many marine hobbyists, the Coral Beauty is a true "beauty"!...as are the Two-spined Angel and the Dusky Angel!

   "The Coral Beauty is an attractive fish that varies in its intensity of coloration depending on where it was collected in the wild. It is a relatively peaceful fish that does very little or no harm to invertebrates, although it may be inclined to occasionally peck at tubeworms or coral polyps.

   It is generally resistant to disease and grows to a maximum of 4 inches. It should be kept in a reef tank where it can browse on algae growing on the live rock. Keep it with many rock crevices to hide in, because the more there are, the more secure it will feel and the more it will come out into the open." - Quixian Hong

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium

Maintenance difficulty:
   The Coral Beauty, Two-spined Angel, or the Dusky Angel is fairly easy to keep.

Maintenance:
   The Coral Beauty, Two-spined Angel, and the Dusky Angel are very hardy and generally good eaters, taking all manner of offered foods and grazing on hair algae on live rock. As with any saltwater fish, it is best to feed small amounts of varied foodstuffs several times a day. It is important that you feed angelfish all kinds of live, frozen, and prepared formula foods. Pygmy angelfish are known to eat mostly algae in the wild, so a diet rich in vegetable matter is essential. There are several good commercial foods available including Formula II and Angel Formula.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:
   Coral Beauty, Two-spined Angel, and Dusky Angel are common to South Africa, Mauritius, the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, Tahiti, the Philippines and Fiji islands. Generally found at depths above 5 meters (16 ft.) Most Coral Beauties available in the pet stores are collected from the Fiji islands. The Philippine variety reportedly has a beautiful blue-red coloration.

Natural Foods:
   Algae eater. Grazer.

Social Behaviors:
  They usually are found singly or in small groups. The Coral Beauty Angel is a medium maintenance fish and may act semi-aggressively toward other fish. It doesn't get along with other dwarf angels. Keep with caution in a reef aquarium as it may eat/nip sessile invertebrates.

Sexual differences:
   The male is generally larger than female.

Light: Recommended light levels:
   No special requirements; although dim or blue lighting is predominant in natural deep water environment.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   There have been spawnings in hobbyist's aquarium, but it is known if successful yet in rearing to adulthood.

Dr. Jungle says, " Mike is sharing the spawning behavior of his pair of Coral Beauties! ...thanks Mike!"
"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. Coral Beauty Eggs Spawning Photos Courtesy: Mike Evans    "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 first managed this in my 20 gallon aquarium. I recently upgraded my aquarium from a 20 gal to a 40 gal breeder aquarium and the male instantly forgot his breeding pal and started to nip at her. Since then I have fixed things and they are back to breeding. However, my Cinnamon Clown has now caught on to their breeding and comes up as well for a nice snack. They do chase him away 50% of the time.   "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

Temperature:
   No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish lie between 75 and 79 degrees.

Length/Diameter of fish:
   Coral Beauty, Two-spined Angel, and Dusky Angel adult males can grow to 4inches. Usually smaller specimens (about 1 - 1 3/4inch) are found in pet stores.

Minimum Tank Length/Size:
   A minimum 30 gallon aquarium with plenty of places to hide is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
   No special aquaria requirements.

Buy Coral Beauty Angelfish From LiveAquaria.com

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
   No special aquaria requirements.

Availability:
This fish is generally available and relatively inexpensive.

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Latest Comments
My coral beauty relentlessly picks on my Dragon goby, but he keeps the goby from my Pearly jawfish, so he is okay for now. Nice fish. laurie 2008-08-19
Our Coral Beauty was a great addtion to our tank. It is not aggressive towards any tankmates, and hangs out with our Maroon Clown periodically. He readily accepts frozen and flake food. Now, I can't say for a fact that our CB is actually eating Glass Anenomies, but since we added him, they have been gradually disappearing! Red 2008-08-18
I really didn't like the one I had as it killed off my PJ Cardinal within 2 days. They were added at the same time with a clownfish that the Coral Beauty just left alone. Although from what I've heard this doesn't usually happen. I apparently just got a cranky one. Amanda 2007-08-24
Its a great fish to have. It is very aggressive twords my yellow-tailed damsels when they get in its territory. I had it for 8 months so far and it pretty much eats everything I give it. It loves to eat algae! It sometimes swims with my False Percula Clown fish. Its a very active fish. Its an awesome fish to have. Moses 2007-04-05
I have pics of my coral beauties breeding and the eggs as well! mike E 2006-10-03
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
Thank you for being available for the clear and concise information. Kermit 2006-07-16
you guys are awsome with info. Because I had to do a report on a salt water fish and you guys gave me the info right away!you guys rock! Stacey 2005-04-04
This site helped me so much with a project, the info was awesome, Thanks! E 2004-02-26

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Author: David Brough. CFS.