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Flame angelfish, belonging to the Pomacanthidae family, primarily dwell in the tropical regions of the Pacific ocean. Their bright, vibrant appearance makes them an exciting addition to any aquarium.
| Scientific Name | Centropyge loriculus |
| Other Names | Flaming angelfish, flame angel, Japanese pygmy angelfish |
| Origin | Reefs of Oceania mainly in the Crook, Marshall, and the Line Islands; Western Pacific area including the Hawaiian, Belau, Ducie, and the Marquesas Islands; Central Pacific region comprising the Christmas and the Marshall Islands |
| Type | Saltwater fish |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern (by the IUCN) |
| Behavioral Characteristics | Timid, and shy (when new to the aquarium) but gains momentum eventually; moderate aggression seen in males while interacting with species of the same sex; both the genders could display territorial behavior with other species having the same size and color as theirs |
| School Size | 3 – 5 (best when kept in pairs, while groups should have a single male to avoid conflict) |
| Physical Traits | No prominent physical features have been noted apart from their bright colorations and striped patterns |
| Scales | Small in size |
| Colors | Orange-red body; elongated black stripes arranged vertically at the center and to the sides in four or five bars; short black, and purplish-blue bands at the posterior end of their anal and dorsal fins; their colorations and body patterns alter according to the place where they belong to |
| Size (How big do they get) | Big; 6 inches (15.24 cm) long |
| Lifespan | 5 – 7 years |
| Sexual Dimorphism | Slightly present; Males are bigger with a brighter and more prominent coloration than their female counterparts |
| Probable Diseases | Marine ich, cloudy eyes |
| Approximate Price | $70 – 150 |
| Care Level | Beginner |
| Tank Size | 30 gallons (113.5 liters) for a single species; 55 – 70 gallons (208 – 265 liters) for pairs; the size should keep increasing by about 20 gallons to add more numbers |
Water Parameters
| pH Level | 8.1 – 8.4 |
| Temperature | 75 – 80°F (24 – 27°C) |
| Hardness | 8 – 12 dGH |
| Salinity | 1.020 – 1.025 |
| Aquarium Water Flow | Moderate |
Tank Ambience
| Lighting | Moderate |
| Substrate Type | Rubbles, live rocks, and foliage |
| Tank Mates | Compatible with: Clownfish, yellow tang, anthias, species of the wrasse family, and other flame angelfish species particularly if kept in pairs Incompatible with: Coral beauty angelfish, and certain other species that are bigger and more aggressive than them; supervision needed when kept with corals and other invertebrates because of their nipping behavior |
| Suitable Position in the Tank | At any level (Low, middle, or bottom) |
Feeding
| Diet | An omnivorous diet of mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, table shrimp, tuna, seaweed sheet, spirulina, and marine algae |
| Frequency | 3 times a day |
Flame angels in the Marshall Islands have a more reddish body with thick black bars, while those in the Christmas Islands possess a reddish-orange hue with thinner black bars. The Hawaiian species, on the other hand, are larger with a deep, vibrant shade of red.
The flame angelfish is reef-safe though if not nourished properly may nip at or even eat corals and other invertebrates.
