All fish / Pomacanthidae

Potter's angelfish

Centropyge potteri

Also known as potters angelfish, potter's pygmy angelfish, potter's dwarf angelfish, russet angelfish, potters angel, potter angelfish, ポッターズエンゼル, 波特氏刺尻鱼, 夏威夷火背仙

A dwarf angelfish found only around Hawaii, with a rusty orange head and body covered in fine wavy lines that fade into deep blue and black towards the rear. Keepers value it for its unusual colouring and active grazing behaviour among live rock.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Keep singly, or as a male and female pair in a large tank

Diet

Omnivore: grazes algae and detritus; offer spirulina-enriched foods, nori, mysis, brine shrimp and quality marine flakes or pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll, central Pacific

Breeding

It is a protogynous hermaphrodite that spawns in pairs or harems at dusk, releasing floating eggs. Larvae are tiny and hard to rear, so captive breeding is rare outside specialist facilities.

Good to know

Not fully reef safe, as it may nip clams, large-polyp stony corals and soft corals. It can be shy and slow to settle, and will fight with other dwarf angelfish in the same tank.