African Flameback Angelfish

The African flameback angelfish is a small, colorful dwarf angelfish from the coasts of East Africa. Its head and back are orange–yellow, the rest of the body and the fins are dark navy blue, and the tail is pale yellowish. Adults reach about 8 cm. In the wild it usually lives in small groups in deep rubble areas. Specimens are wild-collected; because of the long shipping journey they may be timid in the first days.

• At least 100 liters; plenty of rock crevices and hiding places.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• Reef-safe with caution: it is one of the more docile dwarf angelfish, but it may pick at zoanthids and LPS corals.
• Mature, algae-covered live rock supports its feeding.

Omnivorous. Angelfish foods containing spirulina, frozen mysis, brine shrimp and copepods, dried seaweed. Small amounts 2–3 times a day.

An active species that constantly moves among the rocks. It is territorial towards other dwarf angelfish; it usually has no problems with small, peaceful fish. In a large aquarium two individuals of different sizes can form a pair.

Good companions: Clownfish, gobies, blennies, cardinalfish, fairy wrasses, cleaner shrimp.

Avoid: Other dwarf angelfish (especially the similarly colored flame angel), lionfish, large and aggressive species.