Angelfish - Pygmy

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Pygmy Cherub Angelfish Scientific Name: Centropyge argi

Basic Info

At maturity, Pygmy Angels grow to between two and three inches in length. Their bodies are purplish-blue in color, and their faces are orange-yellow or pinkish-yellow. There are blue rings around the eyes, and opercular spines are present on the gill covers.

Health

A single Pygmy Angel should have at least 20 gallons of volume in its enclosure. Dimmer lighting may be preferred for Pygmy Angels, since they are found in deeper waters in the wild. Temperatures should fall between 75 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 26 degrees Celsius). A Pygmy Angelfish's water should be kept at a pH value of 8.3 to 8.4. Specific gravity should remain between 1.020 and 1.025; if the Angel were kept alone, lower salinities would be preferred, though when kept with invertebrates, the higher end of the range could be better for the sake of the other animals. Aquariums containing invertebrates should have a specific gravity of at least 1.022. Although Pygmy Angels will graze on algae growing in their aquariums, they should be supplemented with other foods. Many are maintained nicely on formulated or flake Angel foods. Breeding It is possible to breed Pygmy Angels in captivity. Males are generally significantly larger than females. A pair combined in a tank may show courtship behavior, usually in evenings or dark periods, by racing about their enclosure at high speeds. The eggs of Pygmy Angels are pelagic and very tiny. Although fry may be hatched, it is usually impossible to raise them to adulthood. It is believed that captive breeders are not able to provide the correct food type and size for the tiny fry.

Habitat

Saltwater fish - Commonly, Pygmy Angels are found below depths of about 100 feet.

Behavior

The Pygmy Angel is a species of Angelfish that can be a wonderful pet for people wishing to keep a smaller Angel in their aquariums. Many Pygmy Angelfish generally get along well with other fish including many other angels. Pygmy Angels may show tendencies to nibble on or eat clam mantles, hard or soft coral polyps, or zoanthids. However, they are generally reputed to be less aggressive than other Angelfish and can be often be kept in reef aquariums. Pygmy Angels usually graze off of algae in their aquariums, though it would be good to introduce them only into enclosures that are well established.

Origin

Caribbean

History

Found in the Caribbean Ocean, Pygmy Angels are found from the southern regions of North America down to South America.

Common Foods

N/A