Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa)

The Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Two Spined Angelfish, Bluefin Angelfish, or Dusky Angelfish is found in the Indo-Pacific and is abundantly common on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Coral Beauty Angelfish are usually found on the outer reef slopes to depths of around 165 feet alone or in small harems.

Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa)

The head and fins of the Coral Beauty Angelfish is a stunning deep royal blue color.   The body is an iridescent orange to almost yellow color, overlaid with dark vertical stripes and two pronounced vertical stripes just behind the gills.   The royal blue dorsal, caudal, and anal fins are edged in a lighter almost baby blue color that adds a striking contrast in adults.   Deep water specimens are generally more faded than those collected in shallower waters.

The Coral Beauty is often confused with the Dusky or Bluefin Angelfish (Centropyge

Bluefin Angelfish (Centropyge multispinis)

multispinis), which has a dusky body color, a dark blue to black splotch to the rear of the eye behind the gills, and a multiple spined dorsal fin.

The most common variety of Centropyge bispinosa sold in most tropical fish shops have more orange colored bodies.

Because of their mild temperament, beautiful coloring, ease of care, and adaptability to the aquarium environment, Coral Beauty Angelfish are a favorite of tropical fish keeping enthusiasts.

Depending on the amount of inhabitants, Coral Beauty Angelfish can be housed in a mature community tank of at least 70 gallon capacity with an abundance of live rock for grazing arranged into caves, overhangs, and crevices for them to hide among.

Unless you plan to breed a pair, only one dwarf Coral Beauty Angelfish should be housed per tank.   Other compatible tank mates are Blennies, Damselfish, Cardinals, Hawkfish, Tangs, and Wrasses. The Coral Beauty Angelfish is shy and should be among the last fish introduced into a community tank. Avoid introducing larger Basses, Groupers, Lionfish, or Triggers that may harass or eat smaller species.

Although Centropyge bispinosa are not considered reef safe and are known to feed on soft and stony corals, and nip at clam mantles, feather dusters, and anemones; they are less likely to consume SPS corals and will often ignore many corals entirely.  The safest corals to keep with this species is bubble corals, disc anemone, hammer corals, star polyps, and small polyped stony corals.

The Coral Beauty Angelfish has been successfully bred in an aquarium environment.   A single male will oversee a small harem of several females.   Spawning usually occur at dusk and the eggs are left to float in the water column.

In their natural environment, Centropyge bispinosa mainly feed on algae, small crustaceans, soft and stony corals, and some sponges.   In an aquarium environment, they will graze on algae living on live rock, mysis shrimp, frozen shrimp, dried seaweed, spirulina flakes, and quality commercial angelfish food preparations.   Feeding small portions 2 to 3 times per day is recommended.

Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa) are commonly available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from a variety of sources online and from local tropical fish shops.   The main problem with this species is that they do not survive well during shipping, especially those collected from the Philippines.     Always request hand netted specimens rather than those collected using chemicals and make sure that your supplier provides a survival guarantee before you purchase one.

The approximate purchase sizes for Coral Beauty Angelfish are: Small: 1″ to 1-3/4″; Medium: 1-3/4″ to 2-1/2″; Large: 2-1/2″ to 4″.

Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa)

Minimum Tank Size: 70 gal to 100 gal
Aquarium Type: Reef compatible with caution
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy when acclimated
Water Conditions: 75-82°F, dKH 8 to 12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 4″
Color Form: Blue, Orange, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Community
Origin: Fiji, Indonesia, Melanesia, Philippines
Family: Pomacanthidae
Lifespan: Up to 15 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate