Dwarf angelfish · Pomacanthidae
Care levelIntermediate
Flame Angelfish
Centropyge loricula
An orange-red dwarf angelfish marked with black bars and blue-edged fins. It thrives with established rockwork to explore and a varied diet, but coral compatibility varies between individuals.
Needs established grazing surfaces and careful monitoring around corals and other angels.
Recommendation
Would you recommend this fish for a suitable saltwater aquarium?
70+ galRecommended tank
4 inchesAdult size
Semi-aggressiveTemperament
With cautionCoral safety
+ Why you’ll love them
- Brilliant orange-red color and striking fin detail.
- Compact compared with large angelfish species.
- Active grazer that explores rockwork.
! Things to consider
- May nip coral polyps, clam mantles and other sessile invertebrates.
- Can become territorial toward other dwarf angels.
- Needs an established aquarium with room to graze.
- Reef behavior is individual and cannot be guaranteed.
Tank and habitat
- Recommended volume
- 70 US gallons or larger; allow for stocking and layout.
- Full-grown size
- 4 inches (maximum adult size)
- Tank footprint and swimming space
- Provide extensive rockwork with passages and room to graze.
- Tank maturity
-
6 months recommended
Established aquarium with stable water and grazing rockwork. Suggested tank age is a planning guide, not proof of readiness. Complete cycling, stable water and the right food supply are essential. - Habitat and equipment
- Rockwork with hiding places and passages, filtration and a covered tank.
Care and compatibility
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Why this care level
- Needs established grazing surfaces and careful monitoring around corals and other angels.
- Suitable tank mates and conflicts
- Suitable community fish; other dwarf angels can provoke territorial conflict.
- Alone, pair or group
- Usually one dwarf angel in a modest-sized aquarium; multiples require specialist planning.
Corals and invertebrates
- Coral safety
-
With caution
With caution: may nip soft and stony coral polyps. - Shrimp safety
-
With caution
Usually compatible with larger ornamental shrimp; tiny animals need caution. - Snail safety
-
Generally compatible
Generally compatible. - Clam safety
-
With caution
With caution: may nip clam mantles.
Food and feeding
- Diet
- Omnivore; algae and varied marine preparations
- Feeding plan
- Offer algae and varied marine preparations in small regular portions.
- Prepared or live food
- Appropriate angelfish preparations, algae-based foods and accepted frozen foods.
Water conditions
- Temperature
- 72-78 F (22-26 C); keep temperature stable.
- Specific gravity
- 1.020-1.025 specific gravity in the species care guidance; also meet your corals' needs.
- pH
- 8.1-8.4, with stable daily conditions.
Long-term care
- Lifespan
- Reported aquarium lifespan is around 5–7 years with appropriate care; individual outcomes vary.
- Growth and future planning
- Relatively small adult size does not prevent territorial or coral-nipping behavior.
Before you buy
- Is this fish right for your tank?
- Accept the risk to corals and clams before purchase; a full diet cannot guarantee reef safety.
- Buying checklist
- Ask to see it eat; check its condition and plan quarantine.
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