Dr. Hiroyuki Tanaka, Japan
Info
Centropyge aurantia is also known as Golden Angelfish, Velvet Dwarf Angel or Aurinatus Angelfish. This hard-to-find species is secretive in nature, making it very difficult to acquire. This species is identified by its velvet-looking burnt orange/red color with thin, broken yellow vertical bars running along each side of the body.
Centropyge aurantia requires a tank with plenty of hiding places and live rock for grazing. This angelfish is best kept as the only dwarf angel in a tank. It will adjust rapidly if it is introduced as one of the first fish in a well-established aquarium, or if it is introduced and maintained with very peaceful tank mates. Often caution should be used if there is an abundance of large polyp stony (LPS) and small polyp stony (SPS) coral in the tank. This species has been known to nip at these corals as well as Xenia corals. In most cases the fish will not damage these corals, but rather just irritate them.
Centropyge aurantia, like other dwarf angels too, are hermaphroditic and indistinguishable in color from male to female.
Centropyge aurantia prefers a variety of small meaty items, herbivore food, and live sponges whenever possible.
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.
Synonym:
Centropyge aurantius Randall & Wass, 1974
Centropyge aurantia requires a tank with plenty of hiding places and live rock for grazing. This angelfish is best kept as the only dwarf angel in a tank. It will adjust rapidly if it is introduced as one of the first fish in a well-established aquarium, or if it is introduced and maintained with very peaceful tank mates. Often caution should be used if there is an abundance of large polyp stony (LPS) and small polyp stony (SPS) coral in the tank. This species has been known to nip at these corals as well as Xenia corals. In most cases the fish will not damage these corals, but rather just irritate them.
Centropyge aurantia, like other dwarf angels too, are hermaphroditic and indistinguishable in color from male to female.
Centropyge aurantia prefers a variety of small meaty items, herbivore food, and live sponges whenever possible.
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.
Synonym:
Centropyge aurantius Randall & Wass, 1974
