Cherub angelfish
Centropyge argi
Also known as Pygmy Angelfish, Atlantic Pygmy Angelfish, Cherubfish
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–82°F
- 22–28°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 2.8 in
- 7 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 gal
- 150 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 Atlantic and Caribbean, from Bermuda and the Gulf of Mexico south to the northern coast of South America
Overview
The cherub angelfish is a tiny, hardy dwarf angel suited to nano and small reef tanks. It is easy to care for.
Did you know
The cherub angelfish is one of the few marine angelfish that have been bred in captivity.
Caring for the cherub angelfish
Give a cherub angelfish at least 40 gal (150 L), with plenty of mature live rock and abundant hiding spots. The rock should carry algae growth for it to graze. It spends most of its time near the bottom.
Keep the water at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. It grazes on algae and helps keep the rockwork clean. It also accepts prepared foods readily, so it is easy to feed.
The cherub angelfish is mostly peaceful, but feisty and territorial for its size, especially toward other dwarf angels. Keep just one, unless the tank is large enough for a mated pair introduced together. It is one of the more reef-tolerant Centropyge, though still reef safe only with caution. Breeding it is hard, and rearing the tiny larvae remains difficult.
Good to know
The cherub angelfish is one of the smallest marine angelfish, a deep blue fish with a bright yellow-orange face and chest. Like most Centropyge, it is a protogynous hermaphrodite that lives in small harems. In a harem the dominant fish becomes male, and a fish can change sex if the male is removed. It also goes by cherubfish and Atlantic pygmy angelfish.
In the wild
Cherub angelfish live on rubble zones and coral reefs of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. Their range runs from Bermuda and the Gulf of Mexico south to the northern coast of South America. They typically stay at moderate depth among live rock and crevices. They are secretive grazers that keep close to cover, darting between holes in the rockwork.
Common questions
What size tank does a cherub angelfish need?
A cherub angelfish needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a cherub angelfish need?
A cherub angelfish is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a cherub angelfish eat?
A cherub angelfish grazes algae off the rockwork and accepts prepared foods readily.
How big does a cherub angelfish get?
An adult cherub angelfish reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).
How does a cherub angelfish breed?
A cherub angelfish is hard to breed. Rearing its tiny larvae remains difficult.
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