Midnight Angelfish

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Moderate   • Temperament: Semi-aggressive   • Maximum Size: 4"
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-80° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: Fiji, Indo-Pacific
• Family: Pomacanthidae   • Species: Angels (Dwarf)   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

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The Black Nox Angelfish (Centropyge nox) goes by a variety of common names within the aquarium hobby including: Midnight Angelfish, Black Angelfish, Black Nox Angelfish, Nox Angelfish and Black Pigmy Angelfish. They originate from the tropical reefs off of Fiji and throughout much of the Indo-Pacific, where they are found living in and around coral reefs and rocky outcrops.

Their solid black coloration makes them stand out in the average marine aquarium as they contrast the bright coloration of most marine corals and fish species. Midnight Angelfish are generally considered one of the more peaceful Centropyge Angelfish species and can coexist with other peaceful Centropyge species in larger aquariums with enough live rock to create multiple territories.

Dwarf Angelfish do best in aquariums that are at least 30 gallons in size and contain a good amount of live rock. They make an excellent addition to community aquariums containing other peaceful to semi-aggressive fish species. They are typically quite territorial towards their own kind and other dwarf angelfish, thus should only be housed with others dwarf angels in large aquariums capable of supplying enough territory for each specimen.

Like other dwarf angelfish, the Midnight Angelfish will pick a variety of corals and sessile invertebrates including eat soft coral polyps, clam mantles, and zoanthids. They do best in reef environments with noxious corals like soft corals, mushrooms and palythoas that are generally too noxious for them to see them as a food source.

Midnight Angelfish will not bother invertebrates like shrimp, snails and crabs. Hobbyists keeping multiple pygmy angel specimens together in larger aquariums should consider keeping 4 or more specimens in order to spread out any potential aggression amongst all the fish.

The diet of the Midnight Angelfish should include marine algae, spirulina, high-quality angelfish preparations, and other meaty items such as brine or krill. This species should ideally 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 algae and meaty foods in order to provide all the necessary vitamins and nutritional required to maintain a healthy immune system. Plenty of live rock will also provide grazing opportunities for the Midnight Angelfish between feedings.