Keyhole Angelfish

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Moderate   • Temperament: Semi-aggressive   • Maximum Size: 8"
• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-79° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: Eastern Indian Ocean, Western Pacific
• Family: Pomacanthidae   • Species: Angels (Dwarf)   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

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The Keyhole Angelfish is found in shallow lagoon waters and coastal reefs around southern Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory, and off Western Australia. It is also found around the Moluccas, Philippines, Hew Hebrides and most of the Indo-Australian Archipelago. In the north its range extends to Taiwan and southern Japan. It is one of the largest of the Centropyge genus or pygmy angels and is a little more aggressive than other pygmy angels, but is still very suitable for a community aquarium. It is best to provide large amounts of live rock for hiding and grazing, as this will provide added nutrition and shelters in which to hide when threatened.

Keyhole Angels are hermaphroditic, very difficult to breed in an aquarium, and has no distinguishable differences in color between the male and female of the species. Its diet should also include spirulina, marine algae, high-quality angelfish preparations as pygmy angelfish are known to eat mostly algae in the wild, so a diet rich in vegetable matter is essential. There are several good commercial foods available including Formula II and Angel Formula.

The Keyhole Angelfish is primarily a dark blue to dark brownish-blue almost black throughout most of it's body. The pelvic and lower portion of the anal fins are yellow and their is keyhole shaped white vertical bar found in the mid-central body area giving this species its name.

In the Aquarium environment the Keyhole Angel is a bold swimmer, working its way around the reef work to graze on marine algae. Because it grows larger than most pygmy angels, it is a little more aggressive and will aggressively defend it's territory against other pygmy angels and other similarly shaped and sized species. While this species is territorial it does get along well with dissimilar species and can easily be kept in a community aquarium environment.

The Keyhole Angelfish is an omnivore and should be fed a variety of food items including: marine algae, meaty foods, Spirulina, brine shrimp etc.. They should ideally be fed several small meals throughout the day consisting of an amount of food that they will consume within a few minutes. As with most dwarf angels a mixture of meaty foods, marine algae & sponge material is vital to their health and immune system.