Rusty angelfish
Centropyge ferrugata
Also known as Rusty Pygmy Angelfish, Rusty Dwarf Angelfish
SaltwaterFish
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
- 69 gal
- 260 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Own kind
- One male per tank
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Family
- Pomacanthidae
- Origin
- Western Pacific, including Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Australia
Overview
The rusty angelfish is an algae-grazing dwarf angel for a mature saltwater tank. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.
Did you know
The rusty angelfish is often mistaken at a glance for the much more common coral beauty angelfish. Its rust-orange body is flecked with black, and its fins carry a neon-blue edge, like a coral beauty in a duller coat. The coral beauty wears bold purple-blue bars instead.
Caring for the rusty angelfish
Give the rusty angelfish a well-established tank of at least 69 gal (260 L), with strong algae growth. Add mature live rock riddled with caves, plus room for it to establish a grazing territory. Aim for 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.
The rusty angelfish is a dedicated algae grazer. Feed algae-based foods regularly, along with small meaty items such as mysis.
It is one of the calmer dwarf angels day to day, and it is safe with community fish. Like its relatives, it will not share space with another Centropyge in anything but a large tank. Keep only one male per tank.
It is more likely than most dwarf angels to leave corals alone. If underfed, it can still nip LPS polyps or clam mantles, so it is reef safe only with caution. Breeding it is hard.
Good to know
The rusty angelfish, Centropyge ferrugata, is a dwarf angel in the family Pomacanthidae. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite that lives in harems with a single dominant male.
In the wild
The rusty angelfish lives in the western Pacific, including Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Australia. It keeps to reef slopes and rubble zones with good algae growth, staying close to cover and darting into crevices when threatened. It spends most of the day picking algae and detritus off rock.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The rusty angelfish is a mostly peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the middle. Keep only one male per tank. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Swallowtail angelfish
Genicanthus melanospilos
Saltwater7.1 in (18 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Cinnamon clownfish
Amphiprion melanopus
Saltwater4.7 in (12 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Yellow watchman goby
Cryptocentrus cinctus
Saltwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Skunk cleaner shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Saltwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Ring cowrie
Monetaria annulus
Saltwater1.2 in (3 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Adorned wrasse
Halichoeres cosmetus
Saltwater5.1 in (13 cm) · 50 gal (190 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a rusty angelfish need?
A rusty angelfish needs at least 69 gal (260 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a rusty angelfish need?
A rusty angelfish is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a rusty angelfish eat?
A rusty angelfish grazes algae, so it needs a tank with strong algae growth. Feed it algae-based foods regularly, plus small meaty items such as mysis.
How big does a rusty angelfish get?
An adult rusty angelfish reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).
Related species
3.9 in (10 cm)50 gal (190 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Coral beauty angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa
3.9 in (10 cm) · 50 gal (190 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)50 gal (190 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Flame angelfish
Centropyge loriculus
3.9 in (10 cm) · 50 gal (190 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Golden angelfish
Centropyge aurantia
3.9 in (10 cm) · 55 gal (210 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Half-black angelfish
Centropyge vroliki
3.9 in (10 cm) · 55 gal (210 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Herald's angelfish
Centropyge heraldi
3.9 in (10 cm) · 55 gal (210 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Purple masked angelfish
Centropyge venusta
3.9 in (10 cm) · 55 gal (210 L)