Animal-World > Marine - Saltwater Fish > Marine Angelfish > Flame Angel

Flame Angelfish

Family: PomacanthidaeCentropyge loriculaPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Greg Rothschild

   This striking angel, the Flame Angelfish, has been touted as a very good fish for a reef aquarium.

   This is generally true of most of the pygmy angels although any angelfish in a reef must be observed carefully because they are not completely trustworthy.  At times the pygmy angels, including the Flame Angel or Flame Angelfish, have been known to destroy corals, sponges, etc.

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

Geographic Distribution Centropyge loricula Data provided by FishBase.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Pomacanthidae

Maintenance difficulty:    The Flame Angel or Flame Angelfish is easy to keep.

Maintenance:    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:    The Flame Angel of Flame Angelfish is scattered across the western Pacific at depths of 5-25 meters (16-82 ft.).

Natural Foods:    Meaty foods and greenstuff. Grazer.

Social Behaviors:    In the aquarium they are not aggressive, a good community fish.

Sexual differences:    Unknown.

Light: Recommended light levels:    No special requirements.

Breeding/Reproduction:    Not accomplished in captivity. See Breeding Marine Fish page for a description of how they reproduce in the wild.

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

Length/Diameter of fish:    Flame Angel adults can grow to 10 cm (4 inches).

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

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

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

Availability:    This fish is readily available and is moderately expensive.

Author: David Brough. CFS.

Lastest Comments on Flame Angel View all 6 comments on Flame Angel Add Your Comment

flame angel - 2011-03-27 My flame angelfish swims sideways rather that straight up. I got him two weeks age. Is there anything wrong? Click For Replies (1) Clarice Brough - 2011-03-29 It sounds like he may have a swim bladder disease. This can happen to a new fish, though it is most common with goldfish. It could be a problem with water quality, fish that are in the tank have acclimated to whatever the conditions are, but less than perfect water can be hard on a new fish. Feeding it a few frozen peas (thaw them first) has been known to help. Good luck! Reply

fish boy - 2011-03-11 Give him a name! Reply

James - 2007-03-08 Our Flame Angel was not aggressive, but a very nosy fish, it checked out every aspect of the tank at least 1000 times! This is a note for anyone going to buy a flame angel, they are not the brightest fish ours got up in a big plastic wrecked ship and apparently couldn't get out. It was found dead in there, the water was checked and in perfect condition and the other fish were all fine. The angel was doing great one minute and then found dead in the ship. We think it might have gotten up in the ship and couldn't find it's way out and stressed too bad. I would not recommend any decorations in a tank with one of these except natural elements. We have since removed the ship and no other problems have occured with our fish since. Reply

eric - 2005-06-14 I have had a Flame angel for 4 months now. He took 2 weeks to eat frozen foods, but started grazing straight away (140g reef tank). Doesn't touch corals, so far, but keeps chasing my small flame back angel. Would not mix him with any other pigmy angel. Reply

craig warren - 2004-07-14 the flame angel looks nice in appearance but this has to have been the most annoying fish ive kept. it is very territorial especially when settled in the aquarium. i kept it with a zebra moray, porcupinefish, mimic tang, and shortfin lion. it would even boss the eel and puffer around they were near its prefered piece of rockwork. it is easy to keep but a bit of a waste of money as they are high priced. Reply

Anonymous - 2004-04-18 They are GREAT!! Reply

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