Blue Velvet Pygmy Angel - Centropyge deborae
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Details
The Blue Velvet Pygmy Angel was first described as a new separate species in 2012. Before then, Centropyge deborae was thought to be a dark blue regional color variant of the Midnight Pygmy Angel (C. nox). It is in fact also referred to as the Blue Midnight Angel. This species has only currently been found around the Fiji islands. This angel is very dark navy blue in color although some lighting may bring the blue out more than others. It is naturally found in deeper waters and may be more reclusive in brightly lit aquariums. Since it is very newly described, little is known about the care differences with this species, but it can be assumed to have much the same requirements as other similar pygmy angelfish.
The smaller angelfish and "pygmy angelfish" available in the aquarium trade include those from the genera Apolemichthys, Centropyge, Chaetodontoplus, Genicanthus, and a few others. Of these, Apolemichthys and Chaetodontoplus are generally the largest. Centropyge is the largest group and some fish have been separated into new species and genera in recent years.
Suitable tankmates for most of these angels would be community fish like tangs, clownfish, damsels, gobies, blennies, butterflies and similar fish. More shy and passive angels can be kept with smaller, more docile tankmates. Angels should not be kept with other angels in the home aquarium to avoid territorial conflicts. Occasionally, two angels may tolerate one another in a very large aquarium if they have very different coloration and appearance, but is not typical. All angels have cheekspines at the edge of their gill cover and in the dorsal fin; use caution when handling and avoid using a net that they may become stuck or tangled in.
The diet of angels generally consists of meaty foods and algaes. They can be fed a variety of frozen items like formulas, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, scallops and others, as well as pellets, flakes, algae sheets and other foods. Many can be kept successfully in a reef, but use caution with any angels in a reef system, especially with polyps and SPS corals; some have been known to nip at the occasionally polyp, coral or clam mantle but not to the extent of the larger angel species. Genicanthus angelfish are generally planktivores and are not usually a large risk to corals.
Visit That Fish Blog for an Overview on Natural History and Care of Marine Angelfishes as well as a Species Profile on the Pygmy Angelfish and more from our marine biologists and aquatic staff.
Specifications
Specifications | |
Common Name | Blue Velvet Pygmy Angel |
Scientific Name | Centropyge deborae |
Difficulty | Moderate |
Reef Safe | Yes, with caution |
Invert Safe | Yes |
Community Safe | Yes |
Max Size (in inches) | 3 |
Min Tank Size (in gallons) | 30 |
Origin | Fiji |
Specific Gravity Range | 1.020-1.024 |
pH Range | 8.0-8.4 |
Diet | Omnivore |
Temperature Range | 75-82 |
State Restrictions |
Alaska |
Armed Forces Americas |
Armed Forces Europe |
Armed Forces Pacific |
California |
Hawaii |
Puerto Rico |