Nowadays, as with Tropical species, all Marine
fish which we offer for sale are from internationally regulated and
sustainable sources. Many, such as the clown fish, are actually tank
breed, while others, sometimes described as "wild caught", are in
reality from managed reefs something akin to free-range fish farms. The
same is also true for Corals which are now cultured in an eco-friendly
way rather than being plundered from the natural reefs.
Angelfish Dwarf Centropyge
Of the nine groups within the Angelfish family the Centropyge genera is
probably the best known. Often called the "Dwarf Angels", this group
contains many species ideally suited to life in the aquarium and firm
favourites with many enthusiasts. Like their larger cousins, all
Centropyge have the distinctive spine on the gill covers which gives the
family it's scientific name and distinguishes them from their close
relatives the Butterflies.
Angelfish are true reef fish, spending all their time in and around the
reef, rarely, if ever, venturing out into open water and these dwarf
species in particular are never far from a bolthole in the rubble and
crevices of the Coral. Dwarf angels, although small in stature,
exhibit many of the same traits as their larger relatives, including
their territoriality and aggression to others of the same or related
species.
Generally its best to keep only one of a genera in the aquarium unless
they are introduced together.
Once they have established their territory
they will defend it robustly.
More so than with the larger species, dwarfs will readily eat most foods offered
by the aquarist and generally thrive even in a captive environment.
Because of this ready adaptation to frozen food in the home aquarium,
many of the dwarf species are considered as 'reef safe'. In
reality this is something of an oversimplification, many do still occasionally nibble on Coral
and Clams, so its worth keeping an eye open for this behaviour.
Off all the dwarf species, the Flame Angel is perhaps the safest bet in
a reef tank.
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