Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa)

The Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa) is one of the most popular and hardy dwarf angels in the hobby, wrapped in a deep reddish-orange body washed with iridescent blue and purple barring that shifts color under reef lighting. Hardy, active, and full of personality, it is a great first marine angelfish for an established saltwater or reef aquarium. Round out the system with the rest of our saltwater livestock selection.

Care Guide

• Aquarium: 70 gallons or larger with plenty of mature live rock. Coral Beauties are natural grazers that graze algae and microfauna off established rockwork, so they do best in a seasoned tank with caves and ledges to claim as territory.
• Water quality: Keep parameters stable. Target 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025, and dKH 8 to 12. Stable water and good algae growth matter more than raw tank size.
• Diet: Algae-heavy omnivore. Offer a varied menu of marine seaweed and algae, spirulina, angelfish preparations, and meaty foods like mysis and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts 2 to 3 times a day.
• Temperament: Generally peaceful but territorial, and best kept one dwarf angel per tank. Add it after calmer fish are settled and give it enough rockwork to break up sightlines.
• Reef compatibility: Reef safe with caution. The Coral Beauty is one of the more reef-trustworthy dwarf angels and usually ignores SPS, but it can nip at LPS, soft coral polyps, and clam mantles. Keeping it well-fed lowers the risk.

Specifications

Tank Mates & Compatibility

Keep just one dwarf angel per tank and avoid pairing the Coral Beauty with other angels. It mixes well with peaceful to moderately bold reef fish that use different zones of the aquarium. Good companions we carry include:

• Wyoming White Clownfish
• Purple Firefish Goby
• Neon Wrasse
• Tomini Tang
• Mexican Turbo Snails and other reef-safe cleanup crew

Use caution with prized LPS, soft corals, and clams, and avoid very timid tankmates that could be out-competed at feeding time.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Brightwell AngeLixir amino-acid soak, formulated for marine angels and butterflies
• Rod's Food Leafy Purple Seaweed for daily algae grazing
• Freeze-Dried Mysis Shrimp for meaty protein
• Spirulina Powder to boost color and add greens to homemade blends
• Browse all marine fish nutrition

FAQ

Is the Coral Beauty reef safe?
Reef safe with caution. It is one of the more reef-trustworthy dwarf angels and usually leaves SPS alone, but it may nip at LPS, soft coral polyps, and clam mantles. Keeping it well-fed lowers the risk.

Is it good for beginners?
Yes. The Coral Beauty is one of the hardiest and most forgiving marine angelfish, which makes it a popular first dwarf angel for an established saltwater tank.

Can I keep two dwarf angels together?
We recommend one dwarf angel per tank unless the system is very large. Coral Beauties are territorial toward other angels and usually do best as the only one.

What does it eat?
An algae-heavy omnivore diet: marine seaweed, spirulina, angelfish preparations, plus mysis and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts 2 to 3 times a day.