Coral Beauty Angel

About the Coral Beauty Angel

The Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa) is one of the most popular and visually stunning dwarf angelfish in the hobby. This species displays vibrant deep purple to blue coloration with brilliant orange-red vertical bars and accents, creating a mesmerizing contrast that makes it a centerpiece fish in any reef aquarium. Each individual shows unique color variations, making your Coral Beauty truly one-of-a-kind.

Why Reef Keepers Love This Fish

• Stunning Coloration: Deep purple-blue body with vibrant orange-red markings that intensify under quality lighting
• Perfect Size: Stays small (4 inches max) making it ideal for medium-sized reef tanks
• Active & Personable: Constantly exploring rockwork and interacting with the aquarium environment
• Hardy Dwarf Angel: More adaptable than larger angelfish species and generally disease-resistant
• Reef-Safe with Caution: Many specimens are reef-safe, though individual temperament varies
• Algae Control: Naturally grazes on nuisance algae, helping maintain a clean aquarium

Care Requirements

Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive (territorial with other dwarf angels)
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons (larger is better for established rockwork)
Diet: Omnivore—requires varied diet including spirulina, marine algae, mysis shrimp, high-quality angelfish preparations, and will graze on live rock
Max Size: 4 inches

Ideal Water Parameters

Temperature: 72-78°F
pH: 8.1-8.4
Salinity: 1.023-1.025 SG
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: <20 ppm

Reef Compatibility & Behavior

Coral Beauty Angels are generally considered reef-safe with caution. Most individuals will not bother corals, but some may occasionally nip at LPS corals, zoanthids, or clam mantles—especially if underfed. To minimize this risk, provide a varied diet with plenty of algae-based foods and ensure the fish is well-fed. They're best added to established tanks with mature live rock that provides natural grazing opportunities.

These fish can be territorial, particularly with other dwarf angelfish or similarly shaped/colored fish. They're best kept as the only dwarf angel unless you have a very large aquarium (100+ gallons) with plenty of rockwork to establish separate territories.

What to Expect

Your Coral Beauty Angel will arrive healthy and ready to acclimate. Allow proper acclimation time (drip acclimation recommended) and provide plenty of hiding spots initially. Once settled, they become bold, active swimmers that will explore every corner of your reef. Feed 2-3 times daily with a varied diet to maintain vibrant coloration and minimize any coral-nipping behavior.