Coral beauty angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Coral beauty, Dusky angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Indo-Pacific, East Africa to the Tuamotus, southern Japan and Lord Howe Island; coral reefs, rubble and drop-offs, 5–50 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
10 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
200 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
with_caution

Care

Shy at first and needs several hiding places in the rockwork. The minimum tank size of about 200 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. Lives in small groups of one male and a few females in the wild. Reddish-orange with a blue to purple back and fins and fine vertical bars; colour varies with locality. Frequently seen in the trade. The article gives no IUCN category. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centropygebispinosa). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Grazes algae and detritus. Provide live rock to graze and offer marine algae, spirulina foods, frozen mysis 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: the most dominant female becomes male if the male is lost. 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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