Mixing Dwarf Angelfish Species in a Saltwater Aquarium

Centropyge angelfishes, commonly referred to as dwarf angelfishes by hobbyists, are known for their beauty AND their territorial behavior. The former is often the reason why aquarists choose to add one to their aquarium, and the latter is why many aquarists often add only one. While this may be a prudent course of action, there is, however, no reason that the thoughtful aquarist can’t keep multiple species of angelfishes from the genus Centropyge in the same aquarium.

Let’s keep in mind the big picture concepts. The reef is a highly competitive environment, and establishing and maintaining territory on the reef can be cutthroat. For a small fish, like many dwarf angelfish species, this can mean that the fish has evolved into a scrappy little tyrant. It’s not that the fish is “mean,” rather it is that the animal is simply genetically programmed to survive the competitive environment of the reef, and this behavior will carry over into the aquarium.

What does this territorial behavior look like in the aquarium? Chances are that a dwarf angelfish will be most aggressive with any fish that poses a threat. A threat may be perceived as any fish that naturally occupies the same niche on the reef, utilizes the same resources, (e.g., food) and may compete for reproductive mates. One can easily extrapolate from this that dwarf angelfishes of roughly the same size, shape and color, that exhibit the same feeding behavior, will be least likely to get along.

So let’s apply these concepts to stocking procedures in your aquarium. Because the dwarf angelfish is often scrappy and territorial, it should be added last (or close to last) in your stocking order. This gives all the other fishes in your aquarium a change to become established first. Unless the aquarium is very large, two dwarf angelfishes of the same species should usually be avoided by all but the most experienced aquarists. Likewise, angelfish species that are very similar in shape, size and color should be avoided.   

If you are going to add two dwarf angelfishes of different species, add them at the same time if at all possible. Keep the lights low during acclimation, and be sure the system is “mature” (read: plenty of algae on the live rock). Alternatively, add two pieces of live rock that are covered in algae at opposite ends of the aquarium. If you can’t add the two fishes at the same time, make sure that the second dwarf angelfish added to the system is the larger dwarf angelfish. For example, I would add a cherub dwarf angelfish (C. argi) to my system and then, several weeks later, consider adding a flameback angel (C. aurantonotus) or a flame angelfish (C. loriculus).

In general, the proper environment makes a difference when trying to house multiple Centropyge angelfishes of different species in the same aquarium. Basically this means the larger the aquarium the better, and the more live rock in the aquarium the better. Be sure the aquarium is not too “clean”, as providing algal growth on the live rock at which the fish may pick will occupy its time.

A large aquarium with loads of live rock and sufficient algae growth should be able to support two or more dwarf angelfishes of different species with no problem, if you follow the advice given here.

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