10 useful things you need to know

Typical size for Centropyge loricula

Flame angelfish can reach up to 6 inches long, with males being slightly larger than females.

Flame angelfish are considered to be semi-aggressive, by most. That means they will be aggressive towards other angelfish and they may display some territoriality towards fish that are added to an aquarium after they establish their own territory. However, the level of aggression is generally acceptable in large tanks and if care is taken, when introducing new fish to disrupt the territoriality.

The cost of a flame angelfish will vary some based on the store you purchase them from, where the fish was originally imported from, and the size of the fish. They are generally in the range of $70-$150.

Yes, they are relatively hardy and acclimate well to aquarium conditions, generally accepting a range of foods. The one exception to their hardiness is their susceptibility to marine ich parasites.

Their average lifespan is between 5 – 7 years. All Flame Angels are born female but have the ability (called hermaphroditism) to become male.

Natural habitat for the flame angel fish

In the wild, these fish can be found in stony coral reefs scattered throughout most tropical areas in the West Pacific, from the Great Barrier Reef and the Pitcairn Islands, around the Marquesas, and Hawaiian islands and all the way to Belau.

Centropyge loricula are perpetual motion machines, swimming almost non-stop and picking at the rocks for tiny morsels of food as they go.

There is no consensus, online, with respect to what the minimum tank size should be to keep this fish. Some sites report 45 gallons, some report 70 gallons. I will share with you my perspective, on the matter. This fish swims around the tank…a lot. It seems to never stop swimming. It swims and nibbles on rocks and the aquarium glass pretty much, all day long.

But keep in mind, the fish is also rather small, in most instances. I’ve personally had some success raising this fish in a 70-gallon tank, so my recommendation is somewhere in between–a 55-gallon tank feels like the right size, from my perspective. The 48-inch length should give this fish a nice territory to zip around in.

Flame Angelfish are omnivores and benefit from a diet that includes both meaty and vegetative foods. Some frozen foods even have foods optimized for dwarf angelfish.

Live rock will be grazed on in between meals.

Check out this video to see one eating nori seaweed:

Compatibility, behavior and tank mates for Centropyge loricula

A newly introduced flame angel may be shy at first, but if provided with enough structure, it will adapt quickly to their new environment and become an active, bold swimmer.

They are considered to be a reef-safe species, however, the caveat that accompanies any angelfish is that depending on the individual you receive from the local fish store, there is always the chance or risk that he or she may nip some soft fleshy polyps.

I can share that my own personal experience with a couple of individuals over the years is that they were reef-safe in my tanks.

While the Flame Angel is a dwarf angel and therefore relatively small in size, they are active swimmers and would benefit from being kept in a tank sized 55 gallons or larger.

If you are looking for other community saltwater fish to keep with the flame angelfish, check out these articles for some inspiration:

7 Coolest Saltwater Fish for Beginners

Functional Saltwater Fish

Starter fish -Highlighted in that last article is the coral beauty angelfish, which would be an alternative to the flame angel–not compatible with it.

Check out this compatibility chart

Reproduction and breeding habits

Many of those who have attempted breeding Centropyge loricula in captivity stated that it pretty difficult and the young are hard to rear, but with recent advancements in the breeding of saltwater fish, I suspect that aquaculture flame angelfish will be available within a few years.

There have been successful attempts but nothing stable.

Flame angelfish spawn in the same manner as other dwarf angelfish species, by releasing sperm and eggs at the same time at sunset. The larvae drift among the plankton until they settle out.

Other names

The Flame Angel may also bee found in fish stores under one of these other common names: Dwarf Flame Angel or Japanese pygmy angelfish.

Common disease and parasites

Quick facts and pros and cons

Your reef tank may gain some color with these lovely fish, but let’s keep in mind the essentials of having them:

Pros

• Flame Angels are amazing to look at
• Generally considered to be reef-safe, although some individuals will be polyp nippers
• Generally peaceful towards other non-angelfish
• Easy to feed, hardy and moderately easy to keep

Cons

• These fish need a lot of swimming space and like to live in groups, so this is not a nano tank species
• They are expensive
• Only available as wild-caught specimens taken directly from the reef

My personal experience caring for this fish

I have been fortunate to have cared for this species in my tank on three occasions. While I gave a disclaimer earlier that these fishes might develop a taste for soft coral polyps, I never noticed any issues with mine.

At least one of the fish I had seemed extremely susceptible to marine ich, and died due to complications from an infestation–which is totally my fault, not his/her.

Otherwise, Centropyge loricula was a delightful species to have in my tank. Extremely bright, bold coloration and active swimming made it a tank favorite among almost anyone who saw it.

Conclusion

If you take just one look at the flame angel it will become obvious why these are such a popular (and expensive) saltwater fish species. What has your experience been with them?

Learn more about other related angel species

Want to learn about another great angelfish species? Check out these articles about the:

Other popular saltwater fish

Check out this article about the most popular saltwater fish

Learn more about this fish

Watch this video to learn more about this fish: