Keyhole angelfish (Centropyge tibicen) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Black angelfish, Whitespot angelfish, Puller angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Indo-Pacific, north-western Australia and Christmas Island to Vanuatu and Tonga, southern Japan and Lord Howe Island; lagoon and seaward reefs, 4–35 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
19 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.020–1.025
Minimum tank
300 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
no

Care

Provide plenty of rock with grazing surfaces and caves. 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 1.020–1.025 (a fish-only system suits it). Keep conditions stable, with low nitrate and good oxygenation. Lives in harems of three to seven fish. One of the larger and bolder dwarf angelfish. Mostly black with a white keyhole-shaped bar on the flank and yellow pelvic fins; young fish show the white bar most clearly. It is the type species of the genus. Frequently traded. It tolerates ionic copper poorly; a gentler method such as tank transfer is suggested. IUCN: Least Concern. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centropygetibicen). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Herbivorous, mainly algae. 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. A female changes into a male if a harem has none. Not routinely bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: larger than most Centropyge and more likely to nip corals and clams. Best in a fish-only tank with live rock. Avoid other dwarf angelfish unless the tank is large.

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

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