Pearlscale Angelfish

The pearlscale angelfish is recognized by the color gradient of its body, shifting from light gray-cream at the front to black at the rear; because its scales shine like pearls, it is sold in English as the "pearlscale". The area around the eye and the edge of the gill cover are orangish. In the wild there are areas where it hybridizes with Eibl's and lemonpeel angelfish. Juvenile chocolate tangs are known to mimic this species in some regions. Specimens are wild-collected; it is a sturdy species that switches easily to prepared food and is suitable as a first dwarf angelfish.

• At least 200 liters; live rock with plenty of caves and passages.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• An aquarium a few months old, with algae and small organisms on its rocks.
• Reef-safe with caution: It may pick at LPS corals, zoanthids and clam mantles; SPS and soft corals are usually safe.

Omnivorous; in the wild it eats mainly algae. Offer angelfish foods containing spirulina and seaweed, frozen mysis and brine shrimp, and dried seaweed; feed small amounts 2–3 times a day.

A species that defends its own territory, but more docile than most dwarf angelfish. It may be cantankerous towards other dwarf angelfish, especially similarly colored ones.

Good companions: Clownfish, tangs, anthias, wrasses, gobies, blennies, cardinalfish.

Avoid: A second dwarf angelfish (except in a very large aquarium), lionfish, large and aggressive species.