Keyhole Angelfish - Centropyge tibicen - Keyhole Angel Fish - Pygmy Angel

Keyhole Angelfish - Centropyge tibicen: The Keyhole Angelfish, also referred to as the Tibicen Angelfish or Melas Angelfish, is one of the largest of the Centropyge genus. Somewhat drab when compared to most other angelfish, the Keyhole Angelfish is primarily a dull blue to brownish-blue. The pelvic and lower portion of the anal fins are yellow. The egg-shaped, white vertical bar found in the mid-central body area gives it its name. The Dwarf Angelfish Are Generally 2-4 inches however they are Keyhole Angelfish Grows upto grows up to 8 inches. The Keyhole Angel prefers a tank of at least 40 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim. It may nip at stony and soft corals (sessile invertebrates) and clam mantles. It will also feed on filamentous algae and diatoms.

Origin: Eastern Indian Ocean, Western Pacific, Philippines.

Specific Care Information: Dwarf Keyhole Angelfish are generally peaceful fish but will often quarrel with members of their own species and even genus if they look similar enough. Though there are reports generalizing this species are 'reef safe', it is strongly advised to add them to a reef with extreme caution. The reason for this is that many of Keyhole species will behave like model citizens for a while, but one day will go after corals and clams for no reason. This may have something to do with the Dwarf Keyhole Angelfish being predominately plankton eaters as juveniles. An underfed adult may attempt to try something new and find that clams and corals are it's newest favorite diet. It is recommend purchasing the youngest specimen available in hopes it settles down and learns to eat a captive diet prior to learning that corals and clams are a tasty treat.

It is important to provide Dwarf Keyhole Angelfish with plenty of good quality cured live rock and a well aquascaped aquarium with caves, archways and overhangs to swim through or hide in. Especially if there will be more than one Dwarf Keyhole Angelfish in the same aquarium. Members of the Centropyge genus are referred to as Dwarf Angelfish because of their smaller size in relation to their larger Chaetodontoplus, Genicanthus, Holacanthus and Pomacanthus cousins.

Diet: In the wild the Keyhole angelfish has a varied diet consisting of algae and crustaceans. The Keyhole angel is not considered reef safe as it may nip at large polyped stony corals, soft corals, zoanthids and clam mantles. There are occasional specimens that live very long lives in reef aquaria as peaceful citizens but the majority of these fish will often turn for no apparent reason when they are older. This may be easily explained as many of the Centropyge family are predominately plankton eaters as juveniles and will switch to consuming it’s natural adult diet once fully grown. Sometimes all it takes is for an underfed individual to ‘test’ a food source. This being the case, be sure to add this specimen to a well established tank and feed frozen mysis shrimp, meaty crustaceans such as shrimp and clam. Be sure to include algae such as spirulina.

Breeding and Propagation: It is hermaphroditic, very difficult to breed in an aquarium, and has no distinguishable differences in color between male to female.

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