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Coral Beauty Angelfish
The Coral Beauty is also known as the Two-Spined Angelfish. It comes from the Indo-Pacific and is very common on the
Great Barrier Reef of Australia. It is found on the outer reef slopes to depths of 50 metres. The fins and head are
dark blue while the body is iridescent orange with
dark vertical stripes. Specimens from deeper waters are more faded in coloring. The
name 'bispinosa' refers to two stripes, but it is not clear whether this refers
to two blue colors in the dorsal fin or two pronounced vertical stripes behind
the gills. If you have the answer to what Gunther was thinking when he
named this fish in 1860, contact us through the About Us
tab. The most commonly sold variety is distinguished by its orange body.
The Coral Beauty is sometimes confused with the
Bluefin
or Dusky Angel (Centropyge multispinis), which has a dusky body color and a
dorsal fin that produces the effect of multiple spines.
As a dwarf angel, the Coral Beauty is classified in the genus Centropyge and reaches a size of
about four inches in an aquarium. Angelfish are distinguished from Butterflyfish by the spine over
their gill cover. This can easily become entangled in nets.
The Coral Beauty is very popular for its coloring, mild temperament, ease of care and its low cost.
The Coral Beauty adapts well to aquarium life and is a good choice for the intermediate aquarist.
The main problem with them is that they don't survive shipping well and tend to
have low initial survival rates, especially those from the Philippines. Check with your supplier for
an adequate
survival guarantee. A tank of 40 gallons will suffice if there are few other inhabitants, but a tank
of 100 gallons is usually better. The Coral Beauty is shy and should have plenty of hiding places, as well as live rock as a source of algae.
Coral Beauties are omnivorous and will eat algae, dried seaweed, spirulina flakes, mysis shrimp and
frozen shrimp. Algae based foods should be the main staple. They will nip at corals, feather dusters and
anemones, so they are not a good choice for a reef tank. Feeding should occur 2-3 times per day.
Coral Beauties have been successfully bred in captivity. The males will
control several females. Spawning occurs at dusk and the eggs are left to
float as they develop.
Scientific Name: |
Centropyge bispinosa |
Family: |
Pomacanthidae |
Care: |
Normal |
Temperature: |
24 - 28 C; 75 - 82 F |
pH: |
8.1 - 8.4 |
dH: |
8 - 12 |
Specific Gravity: |
1.020 - 1.024 |
Size: |
10 cm; 4 inches |
Breeding: |
Egg Layer |
Life Span: |
years |
Crustacean Safe: |
No |
Coral Safe: |
No |
Compatibility:
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Only one dwarf angel per tank. Suitable tank mates are Damselfish, Tangs, Hawkfish, Cardinals, Wrasses and Blennies. Coral Beauties are prey for larger fish such as Triggers, Basses and Lionfish. They may harass fish that are smaller than they are. Dwarf angels should be among the last fish introduced into a tank.
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