Flame Angelfish
Centropyge loriculus
Also known as Flame Angel, Flaming Angelfish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 3.9 in (10 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 50 gal (190 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Origin
- Central and western Pacific, common around Hawaii, the Marshall Islands, and other Pacific island groups
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
Overview
An active grazer that does best in an established tank with steady algae growth plus several small feedings of algae-based and meaty foods each day. Flame angels are semi-aggressive and highly territorial toward their own kind and other dwarf angels, so keep just one unless the tank is very large and heavily aquascaped. Reef keepers rate it caution: plenty are model reef citizens, but individuals may nip LPS, zoanthids, and clam mantles, with the risk rising if the fish is underfed.
In the wild
Found on clear, coral-rich outer reefs and lagoons, often on the deeper faces where it stays near cover. It rarely strays far from the rock, ducking into holes at the first sign of trouble and grazing algae and detritus off hard surfaces. A tank version needs lots of live rock with tight caves and mature grazing surfaces.
Good to know
Centropyge loriculus is a dwarf angel reaching about 10 cm. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite that lives in small harem groups in the wild, with one male over several females. It has been bred in captivity and tank-raised flame angels are sold, though rearing the larvae is difficult and captive-bred stock is far less common than wild-caught.
Did you know
Its bright red-orange body with vertical black bars and blue-tipped rear fins makes it one of the most recognizable dwarf angels in the hobby, and the intensity of the red varies by collection locality.
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 Flame Angelfish?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa3.9 in (10 cm)50 gal (190 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Half-Black Angelfish
Centropyge vroliki3.9 in (10 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Herald's Angelfish
Centropyge heraldi3.9 in (10 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Rusty Angelfish
Centropyge ferrugata3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (115 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Joculator Angelfish
Centropyge joculator3.5 in (9 cm)70 gal (265 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Multicolor Angelfish
Centropyge multicolor3.5 in (9 cm)70 gal (265 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)