Bicolor angelfish (Centropyge bicolor) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Pacific rock beauty, Oriole angelfish, Two-coloured angelfish, Blue and gold angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Indo-Pacific, East Africa to southern Japan, Australia, the Philippines and Fiji; reef slopes, lagoons and drop-offs, 1–25 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
15 cm
Temperature
23–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
300 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
with_caution
Lifespan
5–13 years years

Care

The article suggests at least 75 US gallons (about 285 litres) with coral, rock and many hiding places; we suggest about 300 litres. The Wikipedia article suggests 23–26 °C and pH 8.1–8.4. Salinity is not given, so a specific gravity of 1.023–1.026 is general marine aquarium guidance. Keep conditions stable with low nitrate. Moderately aggressive. In the wild one male keeps a harem of several females in a territory of up to 200 m². The article suggests keeping it without other dwarf angelfish. Front half bright yellow, rear half deep blue, with a blue patch over the eye and a yellow tail. Widely traded. The article gives no IUCN category. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centropygebicolor). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Eats small crustaceans, tunicates, coral polyps, sponges, worms, algae and sometimes clams. Offer frozen mysis and brine shrimp, chopped seafood, spirulina flakes and marine algae two or three times a day, plus live rock to graze.

Breeding

Marine angelfish are pelagic broadcast spawners: a pair rises into the water column, usually around dusk, and releases eggs and sperm together. Protogynous hermaphrodite: all young are female, and if the male is lost the top female changes sex over 18–20 days. Not usually bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Listed as reef safe with caution. Dwarf angelfish graze live rock and may nip large-polyp stony corals, zoanthids and clam mantles, especially when underfed. Keep one per tank (or one male with females in a large system) and avoid other Centropyge unless the tank is big and well furnished. Generally fine with clownfish, gobies, wrasses and tangs.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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