Potter's angelfish (Centropyge potteri) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Russet angelfish, Potter's pygmy angelfish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
Origin
Central Pacific: Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll; rock, coral and rubble on seaward reefs, 10–120 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
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
with_caution

Care

Provide plenty of rock with grazing surfaces and caves. 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 or harems of one male and up to eight females. Rusty orange with fine wavy dark lines and a blue-purple rear body and fins; similar to the coral beauty. Exported from Hawaii. IUCN: Least Concern. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centropygepotteri). 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. Spawns December to May, usually at nightfall over a high point of rock in the territory. The dominant female becomes male if none is present.

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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