All fish / Pomacanthidae

Cherubfish

Centropyge argi

Also known as cherub angelfish, pygmy angelfish, atlantic pygmy angelfish, purple fireball angelfish, cherub angel, pygmy angel, キューピッドエンゼル, 蓝闪电神仙

The cherubfish is one of the smallest dwarf angelfish, with a deep royal blue body and a bright yellow to orange face and chest. Its small size and bold colour make it a favourite for smaller reef and fish-only tanks with plenty of live rock to explore.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Singly, or as one male with a female in a larger tank

Diet

Omnivore: grazes algae and film on rock, plus mysis, brine shrimp, spirulina-enriched frozen foods and quality flakes or pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Atlantic: Bermuda, Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean to northern Brazil

Breeding

Pairs spawn at dusk, releasing floating eggs after a rising courtship display, and like other Centropyge they are protogynous hermaphrodites. Spawning happens in aquariums, but rearing the tiny pelagic larvae is very difficult and rarely achieved by hobbyists.

Good to know

It can be territorial towards other dwarf angels and similar small fish, so add it last and avoid keeping two males together. It may occasionally nip at clams, zoanthids or large-polyp stony corals, so it is only a cautious reef choice.