Rusty Angelfish

The rusty angelfish takes its name from the rust-orange to brown color of its body ("ferrugata": rusty). The irregular dark spots on its upper sides decrease towards the rear; the belly area is a brighter orange, and the edges of the dorsal and anal fins are electric blue. It is somewhat similar to the coral beauty, but much more orange. In the wild it lives alone or in small groups on rocky reefs and rubble areas with dense algae. It is one of the species that have been bred in the aquarium; it has been shown to be able to change sex in both directions. Most specimens are wild-collected.

• At least 200 liters; live rock with plenty of caves and algae-covered surfaces to graze.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• A mature aquarium that has been running for a few months should be preferred.
• Reef-safe with caution: It may pick at LPS corals, zoanthids and clam mantles.

Omnivorous. Offer angelfish foods containing spirulina and seaweed, dried seaweed, frozen mysis and brine shrimp in small amounts 2–3 times a day.

A semi-aggressive dwarf angelfish that defends its own territory; it is cantankerous especially towards its own kind and similarly shaped dwarf angelfish.

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

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