All fish / Pomacanthidae

Blue Velvet Angelfish

Centropyge deborae

Also known as blue velvet angel, deborah's angelfish, deborae angelfish, blue velvet dwarf angelfish, debora angelfish, ブルーベルベットエンゼル, 蓝丝绒神仙

This dwarf angelfish was described in 2012 from Fiji. It is deep, velvety blue to almost black all over, and the dorsal and anal fins carry fine pale edging. Keepers want it because it is rare and unusually dark, and it stays small enough for a medium reef or fish-only tank with plenty of live rock.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Singly, or a male and female pair in a larger tank

Diet

Omnivore: algae and spirulina foods, mysis, brine shrimp, quality marine flakes and pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Fiji (southwest Pacific)

Breeding

Like other Centropyge it is a protogynous hermaphrodite. Pairs spawn in open water at dusk and release floating eggs. Breeding in captivity is rare and the larvae are very hard to raise.

Good to know

It may pick at clams, soft corals and LPS, so treat it as only partly reef safe. Do not keep it with other dwarf angels unless the tank is large. Wild collection from Fiji is limited, so expect high prices.