Dr. John Ernest (Jack) Randall (†), Hawaii
Info
Centropyge bispinosa (Günther, 1860)
The Coral Beauty Angelfish is very common on the Great Barrier Reef, is also known as the Twospined or Dusky Angelfish. The body and head are a deep royal blue, highlighted with an iridescent orange to yellow. It is often confused with the Centropyge multispinis, also called Bluefin Angelfish.
It requires a tank with lots of hiding places and live rock for grazing. Not a good reef dweller, the Coral Beauty Angelfish is prone to nip at stony and soft corals (sessile invertebrates). The diet of the Coral Beauty Angelfish should consist of marine algae, like all Centropyge consume the Coral Beauty a considerable amount of microalgae and detritus, therefore it pays to not be too meticulous in keeping their system to clean. The Coral Beauty eats also like other Dwarf Angels, high-quality angelfish preparations, mysid or frozen shrimp, and other quality meaty foods. Like all angelfish, the Coral Beautys are constant and voracious feeders. They will sample anything and everything placed within the tank, including corals. Caution should be used when considering placing an angel
Dwarf angels are known prey items for many larger reef fishes. Which explains their inquisitive and alert behaviour. Placing these fish with larger predatory species should be avoided (ie: Groupers/Bass, Lionfish, Triggers). Dwarf angels do not adjust well to aggressive tankmates.
Sex and mating
The $lat are female from birth. If two fish are put together, then the more dominant animal becomes the male (=protogyne hermaphrodite).
It is best to put two fish of different sizes at the same time. If a fish is already present, then the new fish should be either much smaller or larger. If a larger fish is added, which would be an advantage, then the internal aggression is not as pronounced. The difference in size can be an advantage when pairing up, but there will still be scuffles until the sexing is complete.
In nature,dwarf emperors live in pairs or in harem groups, i.e., one male with several females, usually among coral reefs.
Reefsafe
Anyone who purchases a $lat must expect that this LPS will nibble on or damage SPS corals, giant clams, and gorgonians. Of course, there may be differences depending on the individual animal, which is repeatedly reported in many forums. In terms of its general diet, $lat feeds mainly on algae, small invertebrates, and sponges. Nibbling is in the fish's genes, so it is just as common in captive-bred fish as it is in wild-caught fish. Perhaps not quite as strongly.
Keeping the fish in pairs can sometimes help, but it can also cause even more damage by imitating the partner.
If the coral is growing very well or has reached a certain size, the damage caused by nibbling should be tolerable.
Synonymised names
Centropyge bispinosus (Günther, 1860) · unaccepted
Centropyge hispinosus (Günther, 1860) · unaccepted (misspelling)
Holacanthus bispinosus Günther, 1860 · unaccepted
The Coral Beauty Angelfish is very common on the Great Barrier Reef, is also known as the Twospined or Dusky Angelfish. The body and head are a deep royal blue, highlighted with an iridescent orange to yellow. It is often confused with the Centropyge multispinis, also called Bluefin Angelfish.
It requires a tank with lots of hiding places and live rock for grazing. Not a good reef dweller, the Coral Beauty Angelfish is prone to nip at stony and soft corals (sessile invertebrates). The diet of the Coral Beauty Angelfish should consist of marine algae, like all Centropyge consume the Coral Beauty a considerable amount of microalgae and detritus, therefore it pays to not be too meticulous in keeping their system to clean. The Coral Beauty eats also like other Dwarf Angels, high-quality angelfish preparations, mysid or frozen shrimp, and other quality meaty foods. Like all angelfish, the Coral Beautys are constant and voracious feeders. They will sample anything and everything placed within the tank, including corals. Caution should be used when considering placing an angel
Dwarf angels are known prey items for many larger reef fishes. Which explains their inquisitive and alert behaviour. Placing these fish with larger predatory species should be avoided (ie: Groupers/Bass, Lionfish, Triggers). Dwarf angels do not adjust well to aggressive tankmates.
Sex and mating
The $lat are female from birth. If two fish are put together, then the more dominant animal becomes the male (=protogyne hermaphrodite).
It is best to put two fish of different sizes at the same time. If a fish is already present, then the new fish should be either much smaller or larger. If a larger fish is added, which would be an advantage, then the internal aggression is not as pronounced. The difference in size can be an advantage when pairing up, but there will still be scuffles until the sexing is complete.
In nature,dwarf emperors live in pairs or in harem groups, i.e., one male with several females, usually among coral reefs.
Reefsafe
Anyone who purchases a $lat must expect that this LPS will nibble on or damage SPS corals, giant clams, and gorgonians. Of course, there may be differences depending on the individual animal, which is repeatedly reported in many forums. In terms of its general diet, $lat feeds mainly on algae, small invertebrates, and sponges. Nibbling is in the fish's genes, so it is just as common in captive-bred fish as it is in wild-caught fish. Perhaps not quite as strongly.
Keeping the fish in pairs can sometimes help, but it can also cause even more damage by imitating the partner.
If the coral is growing very well or has reached a certain size, the damage caused by nibbling should be tolerable.
Synonymised names
Centropyge bispinosus (Günther, 1860) · unaccepted
Centropyge hispinosus (Günther, 1860) · unaccepted (misspelling)
Holacanthus bispinosus Günther, 1860 · unaccepted
