Cherub Angelfish : A guide to keeping the most endearing of all dwarf angelfish, Centropyge Argi
Posted on 11. Jul, 2009 by admin in Aquariums, Fishtanks
The most endearing member of the genus Centropyge (Dwarf angelfish family). Centropyge argi is a miniaturized version of regular dwarf angelfish (flame angelfish, coral beauty angelfish etc). They are sold in sizes ranging from an inch to 3 inches. At 3 inches, centropyge argi is fully grown and will remain at that size.
They are also known as Cherub Angelfish, pygmy angelfish and the Atlantic pygmy angelfish. They are a deep royal blue throughout with a yellow face and neon blue linings on their dorsal and anal fins.
They hail from the Carribean ocean, from South America, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. They aren’t expensive angelfish by any means, coming in at $20 to $30 USD these tiny fella’s are a very affordable marine angelfish for any marine aquarium. They are commonly offered on the market, and their price reflects that fact.
Despite their size they are a feisty little ball of aggression and can usually defend themselves against larger more aggressive fishes, but they must have space to retreat and hide. Do not add two cherub angelfish into a small aquarium, the smaller/weaker one is going to get harrassed. I’ve seen a cherub angelfish harass a smaller one to death in a 30 gallon saltwater aquarium. You have two options if you want a pair of cherub angelfish. Introduce them to the tank (large one) at the same time and hope they pair up or buy a mated pair.
Due to their small size the cherub angelfish can actually be housed in aquariums as small as 20 gallons. This make centropyge argi uniquely qualified for those that want an angelfish, but lack an aquarium large enough for one. Of course it is recommended that you get the biggest tank you can for your fish. But smaller specimens under 1.5 inches should do fine in a 20 gallon.
Centropyge argi are grazers in their natural habitat. Throughout the day they scan the rock for food, much like surgeonfish. They consume algae, tiny crustaceans and sometimes even detritus.
In a saltwater aquarium they should be given a balanced diet. They should be fed a wide range of foods for variety. They should never be fed a single type of food for too long. Although there have been hobbyists that have fed them new life spectrum for long periods of time with no ill effects. It seemed like they were doing great in fact. They should be offered nori/algae sheets in addition to a balanced frozen food (Formula One, Formula Two) and a good pellet like those produced by New Life Spectrum.
A very good food for dwarf angels is the Pygmy Angel Formula, produced by Ocean Nutrition. It closely resembles their natural diet in the wild with a whole slew of ingredients that include krill, algae, kelp, shrimp, squid, vitamins and trace minerals plus many others. Prior to freezing, the cubes are mixed with these ingredients. Unfortunately Pygmy Angel Formula is only available in frozen form.
I don’t like feeding brine shrimp as they don’t offer much nutritionally. Adult frozen artemia do not offer more much more to the fish than roughage, which is fibre. Fibre can be found from far superior foods such as mysis shrimp or krill. Enriched brine shrimp should be chosen for your dwarf angelfish if you insist on feeding artemia. Brine shrimp that were feed something nutritious like spirulina prior to freezing are known as enriched brine shrimp. So are simply a vessel housing nutrition.
Newly hatched brine shrimp are also quite nutritious, as long as their yolk sacs are still in place. Once their yolk sacs are depleted they turn into garbage again.
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