Eibl's Angelfish

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Moderate   • Temperament: Semi-aggressive   • Maximum Size: 6"
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: Indian Ocean up into Indonesia   • Family: Centropyge
• Species: Angels (Dwarf)   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

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Found in the Western Pacific Ocean: Maldives, Sri Lanka, Great Barrier Reef inhabiting heavy coral growths at a wide range of depths between 30 to 100 feet, the Eibl's Angelfish makes an interesting addition to any heavily aquascaped or reef aquarium. Eibl's Angelfish can be kept without too many problems in a reef aquariums, however it is more likely to pick on corals and clams than the Coral Beauty or Flame Angel. The Eibl's Angelfish is recommended for the intermediate to advanced reef aquarist due to it's need of excellent water conditions and somewhat diverse dietary needs.

It can be kept with a wide variety of other fishes, with the exception of other pigmy angelfish (unless in a large aquarium 90 gallons plus) or large predators. If you plan to house it with other pygmy angels it is best to add them together to help avoid territorial disputes. It is possible to keep Eibl's Angelfish in harems of 3-7 individuals, assuming there is adequate space in the aquarium.

The body is a white to greyish cream color with verticle brown/gold stripes, while the tail section is a dark black with a blue accent stripe on the tail fins. There are also yellow to orange highlights above the eye and on the caudual and dorsal fins. Overall the Eibl's Angelfish has an intricate beauty that while not as immediately flashy as some other species, it's sharp lines and contrasting colors make it a beautiful species to have.

Like most species and especially pygmy angelfish the Eibl's Angelfish is territorial towards both other Eibl's Angelfish and other pygmy angelfish. Extensive rock work, live rock or reef area is required to give the Eibl's a suitable environment in the aquarium. The Eibl's will spend most of it's time swimming in and out of the rock work picking at marine algaes and small coral polyps.

While the Eibl's Angelfish is not overly destructive to a reef aquarium, it should be kept with caution as it can nip at corals and polyps and may be damaging to some species of corals. The Eibl's can easily be kept with other invertebrates such as shrimps & crabs. It is possible in a large aquarium to keep a school of Eibl's Angels 3-7 members, when kept in these numbers they will form a harem in which one member will remain a male while the other members will be female (it is possible for this species to morph sexually).

The diet of the Eibl's Angel should include marine algae, spirulina, high-quality angelfish preparations, and other meaty items such as brine or krill. This species should be fed two to three times daily what the fish will consume within a minute or two. Being an omnivore it is important to provide a balanced diet of algaes and meats to provide all the necessary vitamins and nutritional needs.