Pacific pygmy angelfish (Centropyge flavicauda) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Whitetail pygmy angelfish, Fisher's angelfish, Damsel angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Indo-Pacific, East Africa to Hawaii and the Tuamotus, southern Japan to the Great Barrier Reef; reef slopes and rubble, 3–60 m
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
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
with_caution

Care

Provide rock and rubble with plenty of hiding places. 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. Lives in small groups and shares its habitat with damselfish and small wrasses. Deep blue to orange-brown with a whitish, almost clear tail and vivid blue edges to the fins. The article combines this species with Fisher's angelfish (Centropyge fisheri); names vary between sources. The article does not describe its trade. It gives no IUCN category. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centropygeflavicauda). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Mainly algae, with some worms and crustaceans. 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. 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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