Flame Angelfish

The Flame Angelfish is widely considered the crown jewel of the dwarf angelfish group, captivating aquarists with its brilliant red-orange body adorned with vertical black bars and electric blue-tipped dorsal and anal fins. Found across the Central Pacific, with the most prized specimens originating from the Marshall Islands and Hawaii, this species reaches a modest 4 inches in length, making it suitable for medium-sized aquariums. Its bold coloration and active behavior make it a standout centerpiece fish.

In the wild, Flame Angelfish inhabit lagoon and outer reef slopes at depths of 15 to 60 meters, typically found in harems of one male and several females. Like many marine angelfish, they are protogynous hermaphrodites, with the dominant female in a group transitioning to male if the existing male is removed. They feed primarily on algae and small invertebrates in their natural habitat, constantly picking at live rock surfaces throughout the day.

While the Flame Angelfish is considered reef-compatible with caution, individual specimens may develop a taste for coral polyps, particularly LPS corals, zoanthids, and clam mantles. This nipping behavior varies greatly between individuals and is somewhat unpredictable. Well-fed specimens in established tanks with abundant live rock for grazing are less likely to bother corals. The risk can be mitigated by keeping the fish well-fed with a varied diet and providing plenty of natural grazing surfaces. Despite this caveat, the Flame Angelfish remains one of the most popular marine aquarium fish due to its unmatched beauty and generally hardy constitution.