Cherubfish (Centropyge argi) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Pygmy angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Western Atlantic, Bermuda and North Carolina to the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and French Guiana; coral rubble, mostly deeper reefs
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
8 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
150 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
with_caution

Care

Provide rubble and rock with plenty of holes to dart into. The minimum tank size of about 150 litres is our own estimate from the adult size and habits, not a figure from the sources. No species-specific water figures are given in the sources, so the values here are general marine aquarium guidance rather than figures for this fish: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and a specific gravity of 1.023–1.026. Keep conditions stable, with low nitrate and good oxygenation. Darts into cavities when alarmed. In the wild lives in groups of about ten, usually one male with a few females and young. Deep blue body with an orange-yellow head and chest and blue edges round the eye. One of the most popular marine angelfish. The article gives no IUCN category. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centropygeargi). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Eats algae and small bottom-living invertebrates. Provide live rock to graze and offer frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, marine algae and quality pellets two or three times a day.

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 like other Centropyge. Not routinely 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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