Venustus angelfish (Centropyge venustus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Family
Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes)
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
expert
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
with_caution

Care

A deep-water fish; give it a mature reef with plenty of caves, overhangs and shaded areas. 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, especially at first; keep it with calm tankmates. Small angel with a yellow-to-tan body and a dark blue-purple band along the back. Now often placed in the genus Paracentropyge (as Paracentropyge venusta). Uncommon and usually expensive. This page was written from the Wikipedia list entry only; the species article could not be checked this time, so details should be confirmed before relying on them. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Treat as other dwarf angelfish: provide mature live rock to graze, and offer small feeds of frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, angelfish foods with sponge and marine algae 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. 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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