African flameback angelfish
Centropyge acanthops
Also known as African Pygmy Angelfish, Orangeback Angelfish, Jumping Bean Angelfish
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 3.1 in
- 8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Own kind
- One male per tank
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
- Origin
- Western Indian Ocean, along the East African coast from Somalia and Kenya south to South Africa, including Madagascar and Mauritius
Overview
The African flameback angelfish is a small, active and hardy dwarf angel that suits smaller reef and fish-only tanks. It is easy to keep.
Did you know
The African flameback angelfish gets the nickname jumping bean angelfish from its restless darting between rocks. It is also one of the smaller and more affordable dwarf angels from the African coast.
Caring for the African flameback angelfish
Give an African flameback angelfish at least 53 gal (200 L), with plenty of mature live rock. The rock should carry algae to graze and offer lots of hiding spots, so the fish feels secure. It spends most of its time near the bottom.
Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. It is easy to feed, since it grazes algae and takes prepared foods well.
The African flameback is mostly peaceful, but it defends a territory once settled. It can bully more docile fish, so choose its tank mates with caution. In a small tank it can kill other dwarf angels, so keep only one. It is reef safe with caution, and breeding it is hard.
Good to know
The African flameback angelfish is a dwarf angel in the family Pomacanthidae, closely related to the flame-colored dwarf angels. It is deep blue on the body, with a bright orange-red back and dorsal fin and a yellow tail. Like other Centropyge, it is a protogynous hermaphrodite that lives in small harems with a single dominant male. It also goes by African pygmy angelfish and orangeback angelfish.
In the wild
African flamebacks live on rubble slopes and coral reefs along the East African coast, from Somalia and Kenya south to South Africa. Their range includes Madagascar and Mauritius in the western Indian Ocean. They often keep to deeper rubble zones with scattered live rock. Like other dwarf angels, they are shy grazers that stay close to cover.
Common questions
What size tank does an African flameback angelfish need?
An African flameback angelfish needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does an African flameback angelfish need?
An African flameback angelfish is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does an African flameback angelfish eat?
An African flameback angelfish grazes algae and takes prepared foods well, so it is easy to feed.
How big does an African flameback angelfish get?
An adult African flameback angelfish reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).
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