Category: Clams & Fish

Centropyge colini (Colin’s Angelfish)

The Colin’s Angelfish is a charming and highly sought-after dwarf angelfish known for its vibrant yellow body and electric blue accents. The bold blue dorsal fin gives this species a distinctive “mohawk” look—adding personality and flair that’s sure to stand out in any reef aquarium.

Wild-caught Colin’s Angelfish have long been rare in the aquarium trade due to their limited natural range. Unfortunately, they are also notoriously difficult to acclimate, often struggling with poor appetite and long-term survival in captivity.

Captive-bred Colin’s Angelfish, however, are a completely different experience. Raised in aquariums from birth, these individuals are significantly hardier, already accustomed to prepared foods such as marine pellets and frozen offerings, and far better adapted to life in home aquariums.

Even with these advantages, this species remains sensitive to unstable or fluctuating water parameters, immature systems, and poor water quality. Colin’s Angelfish thrive best in very mature, stable aquariums with ample live rock for grazing, shelter, and security.

Best kept in:

• Very mature, well-established aquariums

• Stable systems with excellent water quality

• Tanks with abundant rockwork and hiding spaces

The Colin’s Angelfish is an outstanding choice for aquarists seeking a rare, personality-packed dwarf angelfish with improved captive success—when given the mature environment it requires.

Best kept in:

• Very mature, well-established reef aquariums

• Stable systems with excellent water quality

• Tanks with abundant rockwork and peaceful tankmates

The Regal Angelfish is an exceptional choice for experienced aquarists seeking a show-quality angelfish with improved captive success—when housed in the right environment and given proper care.

Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus – The goldflake angelfish is a “holy grail” species for many aquarists. They are adorned with shiny gold scales that glisten as they swim around your aquarium. Juveniles have a light gold body with a black mask and prominent eye spot. Adults develop deep shining gold coloration and blue lipstick and fin edges that catches actinic light just right. This species is rare in the trade due to their limited collection, so captive-bred options are always in demand.

This is one of the more “reef safe with caution” large angelfish species, but highly risk averse reefers may want to avoid them, still, since some individuals develop a taste for Zoas, LPS corals, clams, etc. as they age. Reefers report, however, that captive bred Goldflakes are even less likely to eat coral than their wild counterparts, even as adults.

Some Goldflakes can grow up to 9,” so they do best in a 120 gallon or larger aquarium as adults. Our young Goldflakes of course can be grown in smaller tanks. It’s always wise to add new fish to your aquarium using an acclimation box since they are small on arrival. These fish can become territorial as they age, so it is important to be strategic with future inhabitants once added.

Wild caught Goldflake Angelfish are notoriously picky eaters when first introduced to a new aquarium. Captive bred Goldflakes are much easier to feed and hardier. We recommend a variety of angelfish diets which contain sponge and algae, frozen mysis, Easy Reefs DKI pellets and Masstick.

Pygoplites diacanthus (Regal Angelfish)

The Regal Angelfish is one of the most iconic and sought-after marine angelfish, prized for its stunning coloration and generally peaceful temperament. While wild-caught Regal Angelfish are notoriously difficult to acclimate and feed, captive-bred specimens are far better suited for life in home aquariums.

These captive-bred Regals are already trained to accept prepared foods, including high-quality marine pellets and frozen offerings commonly available to hobbyists. This alone makes a significant difference in long-term success compared to their wild-caught counterparts.

Despite being easier to keep, the Regal Angelfish is still sensitive to unstable or fluctuating water parameters, immature aquariums, poor water quality, and overly aggressive or boisterous tankmates. This species performs best in a very mature, stable aquarium with extensive live rock for grazing, shelter, and security.

Few marine angelfish are considered completely reef safe, but the Regal Angelfish is widely regarded as one of the more reef-safe angelfish species. Wild individuals may occasionally pick at fleshy LPS corals, soft corals, and clam mantles, though they are generally safe with larger SPS colonies and some less palatable soft corals.

Reef keepers housing captive-bred Regal Angelfish report even better results, noting that these fish tend to be more reef safe than wild specimens, especially when well fed. Captive-bred individuals often show a clear preference for prepared foods over ornamental invertebrates and corals.

Best kept in:

• Very mature, well-established reef aquariums

• Stable systems with excellent water quality

• Tanks with abundant rockwork and peaceful tankmates

The Regal Angelfish is an exceptional choice for experienced aquarists seeking a show-quality angelfish with improved captive success—when housed in the right environment and given proper care.

Centropyge ventusta (Venustus / Purple Masked Angelfish)

The Venustus Angelfish, also known as the Purple Masked Angelfish, is a rare and striking dwarf angelfish prized for its bold coloration and compact size. Often compared to a “superhero” in appearance, this species features a vivid purple mask across the eyes contrasted by a yellow and purple body, making it a true standout in any reef display.

Wild-caught Venustus Angelfish are notoriously finicky eaters and can be difficult to acclimate. Captive-bred specimens, however, are significantly hardier, already accustomed to prepared foods, and far better suited for life in home aquariums.

While generally more coral-safe than many other dwarf angelfish, this species should not be considered clam-safe, as it may nip at clam mantles. Like most Centropyge angels, individual behavior can vary.

Even when captive bred, the Venustus Angelfish remains sensitive to unstable conditions. It thrives best in very mature, stable aquariums with excellent water quality and ample live rock for grazing, shelter, and security. Sudden parameter swings, immature systems, or poor water conditions can lead to stress and long-term issues.

Best kept in:

• Mature, well-established reef aquariums

• Stable systems with minimal parameter fluctuations

• Tanks with abundant rockwork and hiding spaces

This is an exceptional choice for experienced aquarists looking for a rare, show-quality dwarf angelfish with personality and presence in a small package.

Pomacanthus imperator – The Emperor Angelfish is a hardy large angelfish species famous for their incredible coloration. Beautiful at all life stages, this species has one of the most dramatic color transitions of all marine angelfish. The juveniles have bright white and blue lines and spotting and they begin to develop blue bodies with bright yellow striping as they transform into adults. The transition is exciting to watch, and these bold fish make beautiful, interactive pets.