Bicolor Angelfish
Centropyge bicolor
Also known as Oriole Angelfish, Two-colored Angelfish, Blue and Gold Angelfish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F (22–27°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 5.9 in (15 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 55 gal (210 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific, from East Africa across to Samoa and the Phoenix Islands, north to southern Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
Overview
An active grazer that needs an established tank with steady algae growth plus regular feedings of algae-based and meaty foods. Bicolor angels are bolder and more prone to squabbling with tankmates than many dwarf angels, and they will not tolerate other Centropyge in anything but a very large system. Reef keepers rate it caution: many specimens leave corals alone, but some nip LPS polyps, zoanthids, soft corals, or clam mantles, especially if underfed.
In the wild
Found on outer reef slopes and reef flats across the Indo-Pacific, usually in areas with a mix of live coral and rubble where it can duck for cover. It grazes algae off rock and coral debris through the day and rarely strays far from a bolt-hole. In the tank it needs a mature setup with plenty of live rock, tight caves, and an established film of algae to pick at.
Good to know
Centropyge bicolor is a dwarf angel in the family Pomacanthidae, growing to about 15 cm. Like the rest of the genus it is a protogynous hermaphrodite that lives in small harems, one male over several females, and the top female changes sex if the male disappears. The sharp break between its yellow-orange front half and deep blue-black rear half, the source of both its scientific and common names, is one of the more distinctive color patterns among the dwarf angels.
Did you know
Its sharply split two-tone body is why the trade also calls it the Oriole Angelfish, a nod to the similarly bold black-and-orange plumage of the songbird.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- LiveAquaria Freshwater and saltwater fish, inverts and corals
- Saltwaterfish.com Marine fish, corals and inverts shipped overnight
- Biota Captive-bred marine fish, corals and clams shipped direct
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Bicolor Angelfish?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Eibli Angelfish
Centropyge eibli5.9 in (15 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Lemonpeel Angelfish
Centropyge flavissima5.5 in (14 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Potter's Angelfish
Centropyge potteri5.1 in (13 cm)65 gal (245 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Keyhole Angelfish
Centropyge tibicen7.9 in (20 cm)70 gal (265 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa3.9 in (10 cm)50 gal (190 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Flame Angelfish
Centropyge loriculus3.9 in (10 cm)50 gal (190 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)