Flame Angel

Flame Angelfish - A Brilliant Jewel of the Reef

The Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loricula) is one of the most stunning and sought-after dwarf angelfish in the marine aquarium hobby. With its brilliant flame-red to orange body accented by vertical black bars and electric blue highlights on the fins, this captivating fish brings exceptional color and personality to reef aquariums. The Flame Angel's compact size, vibrant appearance, and bold personality make it a true showpiece for medium to large reef systems.

Key Features:

• Stunning Coloration: Brilliant flame-red to orange body with vertical black bars and electric blue fin accents
• Compact Size: Reaches only 4-5 inches, making it suitable for medium-sized aquariums
• Bold Personality: Confident, active, and interactive with owners
• Hardy & Adaptable: One of the hardier dwarf angelfish species
• Active Swimmer: Constantly on the move, exploring every corner of the aquarium
• Long-Lived: Can live 5-7+ years with proper care

Care Requirements:

Tank Size: Minimum 55 gallons; 75+ gallons recommended
Diet: Omnivore - requires varied diet including spirulina, mysis shrimp, marine algae, and quality angelfish preparations
Temperament: Semi-aggressive; may be territorial with other angelfish
Reef Compatibility: Reef safe with caution - may nip at certain corals and clam mantles
Experience Level: Intermediate - requires proper feeding and reef compatibility monitoring
Adult Size: 4-5 inches maximum

Spectacular Coloration:

The Flame Angelfish displays one of the most vibrant color combinations in the dwarf angelfish family:

• Body color ranges from brilliant flame-red to deep orange
• 4-5 vertical black bars run along the sides
• Dorsal and anal fins feature electric blue to purple edges and highlights
• Tail (caudal fin) is bright yellow to orange
• Face may show subtle blue markings
• Colors become more intense with proper diet and low stress
• Males typically display more vibrant coloration than females

Reef Compatibility - Important Considerations:

Flame Angelfish are considered reef safe with caution. While many Flame Angels coexist peacefully with corals, individual behavior can vary. They may occasionally nip at:

• Large-polyp stony corals (LPS) - especially fleshy varieties
• Soft corals - particularly zoanthids and leather corals
• Clam mantles - especially Tridacna clams
• Certain SPS corals if hungry or bored

Success Tips for Reef Tanks:

• Ensure the angel is well-fed with a varied diet to reduce nipping behavior
• Introduce the angel after corals are established
• Monitor closely for the first few weeks and watch for nipping behavior
• Provide plenty of natural algae growth for grazing
• Individual temperament varies - some are completely reef safe, others may nip

Many reef keepers successfully keep Flame Angels with mixed reef systems, but it's important to understand the risk and monitor behavior.

Feeding & Nutrition:

Flame Angelfish require a varied omnivorous diet to maintain their vibrant coloration and optimal health. Offer a mix of:

• High-quality angelfish preparations with spirulina
• Frozen mysis shrimp and brine shrimp
• Marine algae and nori sheets
• Finely chopped seafood (clams, squid)
• Quality pellets and flakes

Feed 2-3 times daily in small portions. A varied diet rich in natural color enhancers (spirulina, astaxanthin) maintains their brilliant flame coloration and supports their immune system.

Behavior & Personality:

Flame Angelfish are bold, active, and full of personality. They're constantly on the move, exploring rockwork, investigating caves, and grazing on algae. Unlike some shy angelfish, Flames are confident and often swim openly in the aquarium. They quickly learn to recognize their owners and will often come to the front of the tank during feeding time. Their active, curious nature makes them entertaining to watch.

Compatibility:

Flame Angelfish are generally compatible with most peaceful to semi-aggressive fish including:

• Clownfish, gobies, blennies, and other peaceful community fish
• Tangs, wrasses, and other semi-aggressive species
• Peaceful invertebrates (shrimp, crabs, snails)

Avoid housing with:

• Other dwarf angelfish (Centropyge species) - territorial aggression likely
• Large aggressive angelfish that may harass the Flame
• Very aggressive fish that might stress the angel

Only one dwarf angelfish per tank unless you have a very large system (150+ gallons) with plenty of territory.

Tank Setup:

Provide plenty of live rock with caves, overhangs, and hiding spots where the Flame Angel can retreat and establish territory. They appreciate complex rockwork with multiple levels and grazing surfaces. Moderate to strong water flow is ideal, and they adapt well to various lighting conditions. Ensure stable water parameters, as angelfish prefer consistent conditions.

Acclimation & Quarantine:

Take extra care during acclimation, using a slow drip method over 1-2 hours. Flame Angels can be sensitive to rapid changes in water parameters. Quarantine is strongly recommended for all new angelfish, as they can be prone to marine ich and other diseases if stressed. Once established and eating well, they're generally hardy and disease-resistant.

Sexual Dimorphism:

Males typically display more intense coloration and may be slightly larger than females. However, sexual differences are subtle in Flame Angels. Like many angelfish, they're protogynous hermaphrodites—females can change to males if no dominant male is present.

Why Choose a Flame Angel?

The Flame Angelfish offers exceptional value for reef keepers:

• Stunning coloration that rivals much more expensive angelfish
• Compact size suitable for medium-sized tanks (55+ gallons)
• Hardy and adaptable compared to many angelfish species
• Bold, interactive personality that's entertaining to watch
• One of the most popular and iconic dwarf angelfish
• Generally available and reasonably priced for the beauty provided

Our Flame Angelfish are carefully selected, quarantined, and eating a variety of foods before shipment. Each fish is backed by our live arrival guarantee, ensuring your brilliant flame-colored jewel arrives healthy and ready to bring exceptional color and personality to your reef aquarium.