What Is a Coral Beauty Angelfish?

The coral beauty angelfish is a strikingly beautiful saltwater fish, often kept in the home aquarium. It is considered a dwarf angelfish and only grows to about 4 inches (10 cm) in length. This flashy fish has a rounded body and brightly colored fins, with a series of vertical stripes running along its body. In the wild it is a reef dweller, living in some of the tropical areas of the Pacific Ocean, especially around the Great Barrier Reef.

Many angelfish are quite aggressive and do not make good members of a community aquarium, but the coral beauty angelfish is fairly mild mannered and will fit well into most community tank situations. It rarely fights with other fish, preferring to avoid conflict whenever possible. They will fight with others of their own kind, however, so it is best to only keep one of these angelfish per tank. It will also nip and bite at coral, so it is not usually housed in the same tank as a living reef. Coral beauty angelfish should never be housed with larger fish that might harm them, such as lionfish or groupers.

Also known as the dusky angelfish and the twospined angelfish, coral beauty angelfish are collected in the wild instead of being raised in captivity. When collecting these, as with other saltwater fish, care must be taken so as not to deplete wild populations. Collectors often pride themselves on harvesting such fish in a sustainable manner, insuring that this fish will continue to thrive both in the wild and in the home aquarium.

These fish are omnivorous and eat algae as well as soft coral and clams. In captivity they prefer a varied diet that includes both meat and vegetable matter to maintain their health. An aquarium with rocks covered with algae and other plants are an ideal way to provide the coral beauty angelfish with abundant fresh, live food. Fish that don’t get enough algae and other plant matter may begin to lose their color and end up looking faded or washed out.

When creating an environment for the coral beauty angelfish, this fish prefers plenty of safe hiding places. Rocks work best, and placing “food rocks” in such as way as to create hiding places adds to the fish’s comfort and security. These little fish enjoy nibbling at the plants growing on the rocks, dashing behind them when it feels threatened or afraid.

The Coral Beauty Angelfish, scientifically known as Centropyge bispinosa, is a small and vibrant marine fish. It's part of the dwarf angelfish family and is admired for its striking coloration, which typically includes shades of blue, purple, and orange. This species is native to the Indo-Pacific region and is a popular choice for saltwater aquarium enthusiasts.

Coral Beauty Angelfish are omnivores, feeding on a variety of foods in the wild, including algae, small crustaceans, and other invertebrates. In captivity, they should be provided with a balanced diet that includes marine algae, spirulina, mysis shrimp, and high-quality angelfish preparations to maintain their health and vibrant colors.

Despite their name, Coral Beauty Angelfish are relatively small compared to other angelfish species. They typically grow to about 4 inches (10 cm) in length. Their modest size makes them suitable for smaller marine aquariums, with a recommended minimum tank size of 70 gallons to provide ample swimming space.

Coral Beauty Angelfish are considered semi-reef safe. While they are less likely to nip at corals than some other angelfish species, there is still a risk they may feed on soft corals, clam mantles, or stony coral polyps. Careful observation and a well-maintained, well-fed aquarium can minimize these behaviors.

To care for a Coral Beauty Angelfish, provide a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding. Maintain high water quality with stable parameters: a temperature of 72-78°F, pH of 8.1-8.4, and specific gravity of 1.020-1.025. A varied diet and peaceful tank mates are also essential for their well-being.

It is generally not recommended to keep Coral Beauty Angelfish with other angelfish, especially in smaller tanks, due to territorial behavior. If attempting to house them together, a larger tank with plenty of hiding spots and visual barriers can help reduce aggression. Introduce all angelfish simultaneously to prevent established territories.