Flameback Angelfish – Complete Care Guide

The Flameback Angelfish (Centropyge acanthops) is a moderately demanding but rewarding dwarf angelfish that thrives in a well-established, mature aquarium. This dwarf angelfish species is often sported with an orange face and back, and a deep blue torso. It’s a gorgeous fish that brings a striking amount of “pop” into an aquarium. Flameback Angelfish grow to about 3 inches and are sometimes called the African Pygmy Angelfish. Do not mistake this species with the Cherub Angelfish, which has a similar coloration and size.

Flameback Angelfish, like many other angels, can be elusive when they’re first introduced, but often become more bold as they get established in the enclosure. This article will discuss the general care of Flameback Angelfish, including aquarium requirements, dietary needs, compatible tank mates, and more.

For this species, a fish tank of at least 55 gallons is strongly recommended, since Flameback Angelfish enjoy plenty of swimming room and grazing space. They will benefit from ample live rock for hiding and foraging. Structuring the rockwork with caves, overhangs, and crevices helps replicate its natural habitat and gives it the security and grazing surfaces it needs. I have had dwarf angelfish disappear for weeks to months. They are often incredibly elusive when first introduced in aquariums, especially large ones. Over time, they will come out of hiding more and more.

Is the Flameback Angelfish Reef Safe?

Keeping Flameback Angelfish with corals in a reef tank can be a risk. Some individuals may be model citizens, others may eat all types of coral, and the last group may be selective and only eat certain species of coral. It essentially just depends on the individual. As a general rule of thumb, it’s often not worth adding a Flameback Angelfish or other dwarf angelfish if you’re worried about potentially losing coral.

When it comes to water quality, stability is key. This is important for every fish, not just Flameback Angelfish. This species does best with a specific gravity between 1.020 and 1.025, a temperature range of 72–78 °F (about 22–26 °C), and a pH around 8.1–8.4. Some sources also recommend moderate alkalinity (around 8–12 dKH). Maintaining pristine water through good filtration and regular water changes will support the fish’s health and reduce stress. Check out “Different Salinity Reading Tools for Saltwater Fish Tanks” if you’re looking for tools that will help you test and keep track of your salinity levels.

Flamebacks are omnivores and need a balanced feeding program. In the wild, they graze on algae, detritus, and small invertebrates; in captivity, they do well on a mix of spirulina, algae-based flakes or pellets, frozen mysis shrimp, and specialized angelfish preparations. Take a look at “What to Feed Dwarf Angelfish” for a more in-depth walkthrough on what to feed dwarf angelfish. It’s best to feed them several small meals per day, which mimics their natural grazing behavior.

Many dwarf angelfish species are considered to be semi-aggressive. They may become territorial towards fish that utilize similar spaces in the aquarium. Flameback Angels have a high likelihood of becoming aggressive toward similarly shaped fish. Be very cautious about having multiple dwarf angelfish in an aquarium together. Ensure you have a very large fish tank and provide ample live rock and hiding places if you wish to keep multiple species of dwarf angels. Even with a large setup, you may see aggression between fish.

Besides that, Flameback Angelfish should do well with many different species. anthias, basslets, blennies, butterflyfish, chromis, clownfish, dottybacks, foxfaces, tangs, and wrasses should have little to no issue with this species. I would not recommend keeping Flameback Angels with predatory fish or fish that can easily eat them.

I do not recommend keeping more than one Flameback in an aquarium, so this makes breeding them in a captive setting impossible.

The Flameback Angelfish is a striking and active dwarf angel that can become a standout feature in the right marine aquarium. While it isn’t the easiest species due to its territorial behavior and potential coral-nipping tendencies, most challenges can be managed with proper tank size, abundant live rock, and a varied, frequent feeding routine. Stable water parameters and good husbandry go a long way toward keeping this fish healthy and reducing aggression. As long as you understand its semi-aggressive nature and monitor how it behaves in your specific setup, the Flameback Angelfish can be a hardy, rewarding, and beautifully vibrant addition to a well-planned marine environment.