Half-black angelfish (Centropyge vroliki) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Pearlscale angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Indo-Pacific, Christmas Island to Vanuatu and the Marshall Islands, north to Taiwan and south to Lord Howe Island; coral-rich lagoons and reefs, 1–25 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
12 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
with_caution

Care

Provide plenty of rock and rubble with grazing surfaces. 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. Lives in harems; a female changes into a male if none is present. Pale grey to white front half with an orange ring around the eye and a black rear half. Hybridises with the Eibl's and lemonpeel angelfish where they meet. Common in the trade. It does not tolerate ionic copper treatment well, so a gentler method such as tank transfer is suggested. The article gives no IUCN category. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centropygevroliki). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Mainly a grazer of filamentous algae, also eating sponges. Provide live rock 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. Changes sex from female to male. 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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