Pygmy Angelfish ~ Cherubfish

Maintenance difficulty:      The Cherubfish or Pygmy Angelfish is fairly easy to keep.

Maintenance:      This angelfish, the Cherubfish or Pygmy Angelfish, is very hardy and generally a good eater 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. Cherubfish or 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:      The Caribbean Ocean, from Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to South America. It is sometimes seen in shallower water from 5-10 (16-33 ft.) meters deep but is generally found grazing in coral rubble areas at depths below 100 feet.

Natural Foods:      Algae eater. Grazer.

Social Behaviors:      They can be somewhat aggressive towards conspecifics although aggression seems lower than other angels. Generally a good reef fish.

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:    Unknown if successful yet in rearing to adulthood although spawning and fry development has been known to occur since the late 1980's. (breeder's registry)

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

Length/Diameter of fish:      Cherubfish or Pygmy Angelfish adult males can grow to 3 inches. Usually smaller specimens (about 1 inch) found in LFS.

Minimum Tank Length/Size:      A minimum  30 gallon aquarium is recommended.

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

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

Availability: This fish is generally available and relatively inexpensive.

Author: David Brough. CFS.