Purple Masked Angelfish
Centropyge venusta
Also known as Venustus Angelfish, Purplemask Angelfish, Blue-backed Angelfish, Paracentropyge venusta, Holacanthus venustus
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
- 55 gal (210 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Origin
- Northwestern Pacific
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
Overview
A shy, deliberate feeder for a mature 210 litre or larger tank with heavy rockwork and peaceful company. It is gentler on corals than most dwarf angels but still untrustworthy with clam mantles and fleshy polyps, and a new fish may take weeks to cruise in the open, so offer small feedings near its shelter.
In the wild
Found in the northwestern Pacific from the Philippines and Taiwan north through the Ryukyu Islands to southern Japan. It keeps to caves, overhangs, and steep rocky drop-offs, usually staying within touching distance of shelter.
Good to know
This dwarf angel reaches about 10 cm and has moved between genera since its 1969 description as Holacanthus venustus; Eschmeyer's Catalog currently places it in Centropyge, while many references still use Paracentropyge venusta. The violet mask and back set against a yellow body make adults easy to recognise.
Did you know
It routinely swims upside down beneath overhangs, orienting its belly to the rock above rather than the sea floor, so a settled fish can look like it is patrolling the roof of its cave.
Common questions
What size tank does a Purple Masked Angelfish need?
A Purple Masked Angelfish needs at least 55 gal (210 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Purple Masked Angelfish need?
Purple Masked Angelfish are comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big do Purple Masked Angelfish get?
An adult Purple Masked Angelfish reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
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Related species
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosaSaltwater3.9 in (10 cm)50 gal (190 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Flame Angelfish
Centropyge loriculusSaltwater3.9 in (10 cm)50 gal (190 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Half-Black Angelfish
Centropyge vrolikiSaltwater3.9 in (10 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Herald's Angelfish
Centropyge heraldiSaltwater3.9 in (10 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Rusty Angelfish
Centropyge ferrugataSaltwater3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (115 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Golden Angelfish
Centropyge aurantiaSaltwater3.9 in (10 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)