Potter’s Angelfish

Also known as the Potter’s Pygmy Angelfish or Rusty Angelfish

The Potter’s Angelfish is a spectacular endemic dwarf angelfish found exclusively in the Hawaiian Islands, featuring a vibrant orange body with distinctive electric blue highlights around the eye, fins, and face. This rare and highly sought-after species represents one of the crown jewels of Hawaiian marine life, combining brilliant coloration with the mystique of limited geographic distribution, making it a prized acquisition for dedicated marine aquarists.

Key Features

• Scientific Name: Centropyge potteri
• Common Names: Potter’s Angelfish, Potter’s Pygmy Angelfish, Rusty Angelfish, Hawaiian Pygmy Angelfish
• Adult Size: Up to 4–5 inches
• Lifespan: 5–10+ years with proper care
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive; territorial, especially toward other dwarf angels
• Reef Compatibility: Not reef-safe – known to nip at corals, clam mantles, and sessile invertebrates
• Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons (minimum); 90+ gallons preferred
• Experience Level: Intermediate to advanced

Habitat & Tank Requirements

• Tank Environment: Provide abundant live rock with caves, crevices, and complex hiding spots. Potter’s Angels are active grazers that require territories to explore and defend, though they can be initially shy in new environments.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)
  • Salinity: 1.023–1.025
  • pH: 8.1–8.4
  • Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
  • Nitrate: <20 ppm
  • dKH: 8–12
• Aquascape: Dense live rock formations with natural algae growth are essential for grazing and establishing territory. Multiple caves and hiding spots help reduce initial stress and provide security.
• Compatibility: Best kept as the only dwarf angelfish in the system. Can coexist with semi-aggressive fish of different families (tangs, clownfish, wrasses, dottybacks) but may show aggression toward similarly sized or shaped fish. Avoid housing with other Centropyge species unless in very large aquariums (150+ gallons). More territorial than some dwarf angels but less aggressive than Flames or Lemonpeels.

Diet & Feeding

Potter’s Angelfish are omnivores requiring a balanced, varied diet:

• Plant Matter: Marine algae, spirulina, nori sheets, high-quality herbivore pellets and flakes
• Meaty Foods: Mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, copepods, quality marine pellets
• Specialty Items: Foods containing sponge material (important for maintaining health and vibrant coloration)
• Natural Grazing: Will actively pick at microalgae, film algae, and detritus on live rock throughout the day, this natural foraging is important for their well-being
• Commercial Foods: High-quality dwarf angelfish preparations, frozen angel formulas
• Feeding Schedule: Feed 2–3 times daily in small portions. Frequent varied feeding maintains brilliant orange coloration and supports overall health.

Notes & Considerations

• Behavior: Potter’s Angels are active and visible once established, constantly exploring rockwork and patrolling their territory. They may be initially shy after introduction, hiding for a few days before gaining confidence. Once acclimated, they become bold and curious, often approaching during feeding times. Display moderate territorial behavior that intensifies in smaller tanks.
• Endemic Rarity: Potter’s Angelfish are found exclusively in Hawaiian waters, making them significantly rarer and more expensive than Indo-Pacific or Caribbean dwarf angels. Limited collection due to Hawaiian marine life protection regulations and geographic restriction creates high demand and premium pricing. This exclusivity adds to their desirability among collectors.
• Coloration: Features stunning bright orange to rusty-orange body coloration with electric blue facial markings, eye rings, and fin edging. The vibrant contrast between orange and blue makes them one of the most visually striking dwarf angels. Coloration intensity varies with diet, stress levels, and individual variation, well-maintained specimens display the most brilliant hues.
• Coral Compatibility: Not considered reef-safe. Potter’s Angels are known to nip at large-polyp stony corals (LPS), soft corals, zoanthids, and clam mantles. While some individuals may be less destructive than others, they should not be trusted in reef aquariums with prized coral specimens. May tolerate some hardy SPS and noxious soft corals, but behavior varies by individual.
• Acclimation Sensitivity: Can be moderately delicate during initial acclimation and the first few weeks in captivity. Requires:
  • Proper drip acclimation to prevent osmotic stress
  • Stable water parameters without fluctuations
  • Stress-free introduction without aggressive tank mates
  • Mature tank with established live rock and natural food sources
  • Patient approach—may take several days to begin feeding confidently
• Feeding Challenges: Some individuals can be initially finicky or slow to accept prepared foods, particularly if recently collected. Offering varied foods including live options (enriched brine shrimp, copepods) can help initiate feeding response. Once eating regularly, most become eager feeders, though they may remain more selective than some other dwarf angels.
• Gender: Sexual dimorphism is minimal and not easily observed externally. Potter’s Angels are protogynous hermaphrodites (females can transform into males). Captive breeding has been documented but remains rare and challenging due to the species’ limited availability.
• Hawaiian Collection Regulations: Collection of marine life in Hawaii is heavily regulated and restricted to specific areas and licensed collectors. These regulations, combined with the species’ endemic status, contribute to limited availability and higher costs. Some Hawaiian species collection has been banned entirely in certain zones, further restricting supply.
• Disease Susceptibility: Like many dwarf angels, Potter’s can be prone to marine ich (Cryptocaryon) and velvet (Amyloodinium), especially when stressed during acclimation or in suboptimal conditions. Quarantine is highly recommended for this relatively expensive and sensitive species.
• Tank-Bred Availability: Captive-bred Potter’s Angels are extremely rare, with only occasional successful breeding by specialized facilities. The vast majority of specimens are wild-caught from Hawaiian waters.
• Availability Fluctuations: Availability can vary significantly due to collection regulations, weather conditions affecting collection, and seasonal patterns. Potter’s Angels may be difficult to find during certain periods, and waiting lists are not uncommon.
• Water Quality Sensitivity: Appreciates pristine water conditions with stable parameters. Best added to mature, well-established systems (6+ months old) with stable biological filtration.
• Comparison to Similar Species: Often compared to the Flame Angel due to similar orange-red coloration, but Potter’s are generally considered more delicate, more expensive, and less commonly available. The blue facial markings distinguish them immediately from Flames.
• Price Point: Typically among the most expensive dwarf angelfish due to endemic Hawaiian status and limited collection. Premium pricing reflects their rarity and desirability among collectors seeking unique species.

Why Choose a Quarantined Potter’s Angelfish?

Our quarantined Potter’s Angelfish are carefully acclimated, disease-screened, and conditioned on varied prepared foods before being offered for sale. Given this species’ endemic rarity, premium pricing, and moderate sensitivity during acclimation, proper quarantine is essential for protecting your investment. This quarantine period ensures you receive a healthy, parasite-free specimen displaying vibrant coloration and established feeding behaviors, dramatically improving long-term success with this coveted Hawaiian endemic. The combination of proper quarantine and confirmed feeding response provides the best possible foundation for keeping this rare and beautiful species, making it a worthwhile investment for aquarists seeking something truly special for their collection.