Flame angelfish (Centropyge loricula) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Flame angel, Japanese pygmy angelfish, Flaming angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Tropical Pacific, most common in the Marshall, Line and Cook Islands, less so in Hawaii; coral reef slopes and clear lagoons
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
15 cm
Temperature
24–27°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
yes
Lifespan
5–7 years or more years

Care

Provide plenty of live rock to graze and caves to hide in. The minimum tank size of about 300 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. Shy for the first week or so in an established tank, then grazes the rock in the open by day. Lives in harems in the wild. Bright red-orange with several black vertical bars and blue-tipped dorsal and anal fins. Males are larger with more blue on the fins. Widely traded; captive spawning and breeding have been reported. Some fish live to old age, but many die unexpectedly when older. The article gives no IUCN category. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centropygeloricula). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Eats algae and crustaceans in the wild; juveniles take more plankton. In the aquarium it takes frozen mysis and brine shrimp, other meaty foods, spirulina, marine algae and pellets. Feed 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. It spawns at dusk or late in the day and has been bred in captivity.

Compatibility and tank mates

Listed as reef safe and usually considered so, but coral or clam nipping can happen, mostly when it is underfed. Keep one male per tank; a pair or trio needs an extra-large aquarium. Avoid other dwarf angelfish in small tanks.

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

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