Flameback Angelfish (Captive Bred)

Also known as the African Flameback Angelfish or Brazilian Flameback Angelfish

The Flameback Angelfish is a stunning and vibrant dwarf angelfish species that brings brilliant coloration and bold personality to marine aquariums. Native to the Atlantic Ocean, with distinct populations off the coast of West Africa and Brazil, this compact beauty features a striking combination of deep blue to purple body coloration with vivid orange to flame-red accents on the back and tail. Captive-bred specimens offer superior hardiness, established feeding responses, and reduced environmental impact, making them excellent additions for intermediate aquarists seeking a colorful, reef-safe dwarf angelfish with manageable size and captivating presence.

Key Features

• Scientific Name: Centropyge acanthops (African) or Centropyge aurantonotus (Brazilian)
• Common Names: Flameback Angelfish, African Flameback Angelfish, Brazilian Flameback Angelfish
• Adult Size: 3–3.5 inches (7–9 cm); commonly 2.5–3 inches in aquariums
• Lifespan: 5–10 years with proper care (captive-bred often longer)
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive; territorial toward other dwarf angelfish
• Reef Compatibility: Reef-safe with caution – may occasionally nip at coral polyps and clam mantles
• Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons minimum (55+ gallons recommended)
• Experience Level: Intermediate (Captive-Bred) – hardy and adaptable once established

Habitat & Tank Requirements

Natural Habitat: Found on coral reefs, rocky outcrops, and reef slopes at depths of 10–130 feet. Typically inhabits areas with abundant live rock and crevices where they graze on algae and small invertebrates.

Tank Environment:

• Abundant live rock with caves and crevices for hiding
• Multiple territories for grazing and exploration
• Secure rockwork formations
• Open swimming areas in mid-water
• Moderate water flow
• Standard reef or FOWLR lighting
• Tight-fitting lid recommended (can jump when startled)

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)
• Salinity: 1.023–1.025 specific gravity
• pH: 8.1–8.4
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <20 ppm
• Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

Essential Equipment:

• Quality protein skimmer appropriate for tank size
• Efficient mechanical and biological filtration
• Moderate water flow with calm grazing areas
• Live rock with natural algae growth for grazing
• Weekly water changes (15–20% minimum)

Diet & Feeding

Flameback Angelfish are omnivores requiring a varied diet rich in both meaty foods and marine algae for optimal health and coloration.

Recommended Foods:

• Marine Algae: Nori sheets, spirulina, marine algae sheets (essential component)
• Fresh/Frozen Meats: Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped seafood (primary protein)
• Prepared Foods: High-quality angelfish pellets and flakes formulated for omnivores
• Natural Grazing: Microalgae on live rock, film algae (supplementary)
• Enrichment: Vitamin-soaked foods, garlic-enriched preparations for immune support
• Captive-bred specimens readily accept all prepared foods – major advantage over wild-caught

Feeding Schedule:

• Feed 2–3 times daily for optimal health
• Offer nori or algae sheets secured with a clip for continuous grazing
• Varied diet essential to prevent nutritional deficiencies
• Small, frequent meals preferred over large feedings
• Captive-bred fish adapt quickly to established feeding routines

Behavior & Compatibility

Temperament:

• Semi-aggressive and territorial, especially toward other dwarf angelfish
• Generally peaceful toward dissimilar species
• Bold and active once established
• Curious and interactive personality
• Males may display more intense territoriality
• Less aggressive than many dwarf angelfish species

Tank Mates:

• Compatible with: Clownfish, gobies, blennies, dartfish, wrasses (peaceful), tangs (peaceful), butterflyfish, cardinalfish, anthias, dottybacks (peaceful), chromis, most peaceful to semi-aggressive community fish
• Caution with: Other dwarf angelfish (will be aggressive), basslets, very timid species, slow-moving fish
• Avoid: Large aggressive predators, other Flameback Angelfish, multiple dwarf angelfish in tanks under 125 gallons

Social Behavior:

• Best kept as single specimen in tanks under 75 gallons
• May be kept in male/female pairs in larger systems (75+ gallons)
• Highly territorial toward conspecifics and similar-shaped angelfish
• Peaceful toward dissimilar tankmates once hierarchy established
• Constantly patrols territory and grazes on rockwork
• May become hand-tame with consistent interaction
• Adapts well to captive life, especially captive-bred specimens

Reef Compatibility: Reef-safe with caution; generally safe with most corals but individual specimens may occasionally nip at large-polyp stony corals (LPS), soft coral polyps, zoanthids, and clam mantles. SPS corals typically safe. Most captive-bred specimens are less likely to develop nipping behaviors. Safe with ornamental shrimp and other invertebrates. Nipping behavior is opportunistic rather than systematic – most Flamebacks coexist peacefully with corals.

Acclimation & Care Tips

Initial Acclimation:

• Use drip acclimation over 60–90 minutes for best results
• Float bag for temperature equalization (15–20 minutes)
• Dim lights during introduction to reduce stress
• Introduce during feeding time to distract other fish
• Provide immediate access to hiding spots
• Captive-bred specimens typically acclimate faster than wild-caught

Health Considerations:

• Susceptible to marine ich, velvet, and bacterial infections when stressed
• Quarantine for 3–4 weeks recommended before adding to display tank
• Captive-bred specimens generally more disease-resistant
• Watch for labored breathing, loss of color, reduced appetite, or clamped fins
• Hardy once established in appropriate environment
• Proper diet prevents lateral line erosion and color fading

Signs of a Healthy Specimen:

• Active swimming and constant grazing behavior
• Clear, bright eyes and alert demeanor
• Vibrant coloration with distinct flame-orange markings
• Smooth, streamlined body with no visible lesions
• Strong feeding response to offered foods
• Normal swimming pattern without listing
• Intact fins with no tears or erosion
• Regular territorial displays and active personality

Color & Development

Coloration Characteristics:

• Body: Deep royal blue to purple base coloration
• Flameback Pattern: Vivid orange to flame-red coloration on upper back extending from behind head to tail
• Face: Blue to purple with orange highlights around eyes
• Fins: Blue body fins; tail fin orange to red matching back coloration
• Variation: African specimens (C. acanthops) often show deeper blue; Brazilian specimens (C. aurantonotus) may show more purple tones

Color Intensity:

• High-quality varied diet maintains vibrant blue and orange coloration
• Algae-based foods essential for maintaining flame-orange intensity
• Captive-bred specimens often show enhanced coloration
• Stress causes temporary color dulling or fading
• Excellent water quality preserves brilliant coloration
• Males typically display more intense coloration than females
• Color becomes more vivid with maturity and proper nutrition

Size & Growth:

• Captive-bred juveniles typically available at 1–2 inches
• Slow to moderate growth rate
• Reach adult size within 12–18 months
• Females typically smaller than males
• One of the smaller dwarf angelfish species
• Compact size makes them ideal for medium-sized aquariums

Breeding & Captive-Bred Advantages

Captive Breeding Success: Flameback Angelfish are among the dwarf angelfish species successfully bred in captivity, though still somewhat challenging. Captive-bred specimens represent a significant achievement in marine aquaculture.

Advantages of Captive-Bred Specimens:

• Superior hardiness: Pre-adapted to aquarium conditions from birth
• Established feeding: Readily accept all prepared, frozen, and pellet foods
• Disease resistance: Stronger immune systems, lower parasite risk
• Better temperament: Less stressed, more confident behavior
• Reduced nipping: Less likely to develop coral-nipping behaviors
• Environmental sustainability: Zero impact on wild reef populations
• Improved survival rates: 85%+ vs. 60–70% for wild-caught
• Adaptation: Faster acclimation to new aquariums

Why Choose a Captive-Bred Flameback Angelfish?

Captive-bred Flameback Angelfish offer tremendous advantages over wild-caught specimens: superior disease resistance and hardiness from birth, immediate acceptance of all prepared and frozen foods, reduced stress and faster acclimation to new environments, lower likelihood of developing coral-nipping behaviors, elimination of collection pressure on wild reef populations, and dramatically improved long-term survival rates in home aquariums.

Our captive-bred specimens undergo observation, health assessment, and feeding verification to ensure they’re thriving on varied diets before reaching you. These stunning angelfish combine spectacular blue-and-orange flame coloration with manageable size, bold personality, and the reliability that comes from generations of captive breeding.

These magnificent dwarf angelfish represent one of the most colorful and personable species available to reef aquarists. Their striking flame-backed appearance creates an instant focal point, while their active grazing behavior and curious nature provide endless entertainment. The compact size makes them suitable for medium-sized aquariums where larger angelfish would be inappropriate, and their generally reef-safe nature (with individual variation) allows them to coexist with most coral collections.

Perfect for intermediate aquarists seeking a vibrant, hardy centerpiece fish that brings both beauty and personality to reef or FOWLR systems. Captive breeding has transformed the Flameback Angelfish from a challenging species into a reliable, sustainable choice that rewards proper care with years of brilliant color and engaging behavior. A true gem of the dwarf angelfish family, now more accessible and successful than ever through responsible aquaculture.