Centropyge loricula commonly known as the flame angelfish, flaming angelfish, and Japanese pygmy angelfish. It is one of the popular dwarf angelfish with bold orange color and four to five vertical black stripes on the body. Dorsal and anal fins are blue-tipped. Found at a depth of 15 – 60 m in tropical water of the Pacific Ocean. This fish can grow to a length of 4 to 5 inches.
Flame angelfish are aggressive towards its own kind and to others which look similar. They can also be aggressive towards new tank mates and should be added with caution. Centropyge loricula is an omnivorous fish and eats fleshy food. Fleshy or meaty foods are mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, clams, mussels, squid and krill. Mostly these are considered to be reef safe, but there is always a risk of angelfish that they may nibble stony and soft corals polyps. They require a large established aquarium with rockwork for hiding.
They are flashy and eye-catching in most of the marine aquariums. Flame angelfish are expensive and will leave a hole in the pocket. They are not easy to breed in aquariums but there have been some success stories. Centropyge loricula is an energetic fish and it is advised to acclimate and quarantine the fish before adding to the main display.
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