The Bluefin Angelfish (Centropyge multispinis) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as Bluefin Dwarf, Dusky Angelfish, Dusky Cherub, Black Angelfish, Brown Pygmy Angelfish, Many Spined Angelfish, and Multispined Angelfish is found in the northern and western Indian Ocean.
Its range extends from the eastern coast of Africa, including the Red Sea, and across the Indian Ocean (where it is common) to Sumatra and Thailand.
The Bluefin Angelfish can be encountered alone, in pairs, and in small harems among areas of rocky rubble along the outer reef slopes and coral rich reefs and lagoons of their range, at depths from 3 to over 90 feet where they feed on algae, small crustaceans, soft and stony corals, zooplankton, and detritus.
The Bluefin Angelfish has a blackish blue “dusky” body color marked with black vertical bars along he flanks and lighter blue marbling on the dorsal, caudal, and anal fins. The anal and caudal fins are outlined in a thin, bright sapphire blue color, and they have a dark blue to black splotch to the rear of the eye behind the gills.
Males and females exhibit minimal sexual dimorphism and are difficult to identify. They are protogynous hermaphrodites that have the ability to change sex from female to male when no male is present.
The Bluefin Angelfish is occasionally misidentified as the Coral Beauty Angelfish (Centropyge bispinosa) which have more orange colored bodies.
The Bluefin Angelfish can be housed in a mature FOWLR or reef aquarium of at least 70 gallon capacity with a fine coralline gravel or sandy substrate decorated with an abundance of live rock arranged into crevices, caves, and overhangs for them to graze and hide among and plenty of free swimming space.
Although Centropyge multispinis are considered reef safe, they are known to nip on soft and stony corals, 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.
Unless you plan to breed a pair, only one Bluefin Angelfish should be housed per tank.
Celebrated for their peaceful temperament, Centropyge multispinis tend to get along well with a variety of fish and invertebrates. Some suitable tankmates include Blennies, Yellow Clown Goby (Gobiodon okinawae), Damselfish, Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani), Firefish Goby (Nemateleotris magnifica), Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni), Hawkfish, Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto), Tangs, and Wrasses.
Avoid introducing larger Basses, Groupers, Lionfish, or Triggers that may harass or eat smaller species.
The Bluefin Angelfish (Centropyge multispinis) has not been bred in an aquarium environment.
In their natural habitat, dominant males are polygamous and reproduce with several females in small harems. Spawning usually occurs at dusk. The buoyant eggs are left to float in the water column as plankton until they hatch into larvae and eventually grow into juvenile fish.
The offspring are always born female. As they grow into adulthood, some individuals change sex to become males.
In their natural environment, Bluefin Angelfish feed on algae, small invertebrates, corals, and zooplankton. In an established aquarium environment with mature live rock, their diet should include fresh and frozen foods like brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, quality marine pellets, and occasional offerings of marine algae. Sea Veggies, Seaweed Salad, and Ocean Nutrition are all easy to use products that will keep them healthy.
The Bluefin Angelfish (Centropyge multispinis) is occasionally available to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts from waiting lists through a variety of wholesale and retail sources online and local tropical fish shops at the following approximate purchase sizes: Tiny: Up to 1″, Small: Over 1-1.5″, Small / Medium: Over 1.5-2″, Medium: Over 2-2.5″, Medium / Large: Over 2.5-3″, Large: Over 3-3.5″, Extra Large: Over 3.5-4″, Extra Extra Large: Over 4-4.5″, Show Size: Over 4.5″
Prices vary according to size and area of collection. For Sri Lanka specimens; prices start at
$ 69.99 for small, to over $155.00 for specimens 4″ and over.
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Aquarium Type: FOWLR or Reef
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 6″
Color Form: Black, Brown, Blue
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Reef Ok with Caution
Origin: northern and western Indian Ocean
Family: Pomacanthidae
Lifespan: Up to 15 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate