All fish / Pomacanthidae

Resplendent pygmy angelfish

Centropyge resplendens

Also known as resplendent angelfish, resplendent angel, resplendent pygmy angel, ascension angelfish, レスプレンデントエンゼル, 黄背蓝新娘

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A small dwarf angelfish with a rich royal blue body and a bright yellow back and dorsal fin, with a yellow tail. It is prized for its vivid colours, small adult size and relatively hardy nature once settled, and it is now often available as captive-bred stock.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Single specimen or a mated pair

Diet

Omnivore: algae and biofilm grazing, spirulina-based foods, mysis, brine shrimp and quality marine flakes or pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Ascension Island, central Atlantic Ocean

Breeding

Pairs spawn pelagic eggs at dusk after a rising courtship, and the species has been bred commercially in captivity. Rearing the tiny larvae needs very small live foods such as copepods and is difficult for home aquarists.

Good to know

May nip at clams, soft corals and fleshy LPS corals, so reef safety is not guaranteed. Wild fish come only from remote Ascension Island and are rare and costly, so captive-bred specimens are preferable; avoid keeping with other dwarf angelfish in small tanks.