Angelfish Cebu Coral Beauty - Medium

The Coral Beauty Angelfish is an attractive fish whose colouration and patterning vary depending on where it originated from in the wild. The Cebu Coral Beauty variety from the Philippines has a lovely red-blue combination. The Coral Beauty Angelfish from other areas is usually red or orange in colour, with dark bluish striping and a purplish head and fins. However, some are completely blue, while others can be orange, pale yellow, or even white. The vertical dark lines and purplish-blue on the head and fins may be less intense on these. These angelfish’s colours do not fade as they age, unlike larger angelfish.

All Coral Beauty Angelfish are born female and can be paired based on size rather than colour. Making a pair is possible by purchasing a larger Coral Beauty and a smaller Coral Beauty, and within a few months, they should assume their roles as male and female. Dwarf Angelfish will spawn in captivity, but raising the larvae is a difficult task.

The Cebu Coral Beauty Angelfish are found on lagoon and seaward reef slopes that support abundant coral growth and algae. They feed on algae and live alone or in small groups of one male and two to five females aged three to seven. Adults can be found at depths ranging from 29 to 148 feet (9 to 45 m). Individuals from deeper waters are much paler in colour than those from shallower waters.

Whilst the regular Coral Beauty Angelfish can be found from East Africa to Tuamoto Island, then north to Izu Island, and finally south to Lord Howe Island near Australia. They don't exist in the Red Sea, Hawaii, or the southern Pacific Ocean. The Cebu Coral Beauty Angelfish variety is found around the Philippines, hence the Cebu part of it’s name.

Tank Recommendations for Cebu Coral Beauty Angelfish

Coral Beauty Angelfish thrive in tanks where algae is actively growing. Make a lot of rockwork with lots of cracks and crevices for them to hide in. This provides security, and the more secure it feels, the more likely it is to come out into the open. They do well in sparsely populated 208 Liter tanks, but they do best in 283-litre or larger tanks. This also helps to bring out their easygoing personalities. They will generally ignore corals and other fish in this environment.

Cebu Coral Beauty Angelfish are low-maintenance, hardy, and generally good eaters. They will eat anything offered to them and graze on hair algae on live rock. Make certain that you keep it in a tank with compatible tank mates.

Suitable Tank Buddies

This is a tough pygmy Angelfish that is relatively peaceful. The Coral Beauty Angelfish is as intelligent as the larger Angelfish varieties and will only be a terror in smaller tanks where it feels compelled to defend its small piece of the reef. It can be kept in a large community aquarium with fish of similar size and temperament, as well as plenty of hiding places. They cause little or no harm to invertebrates, though they may peck at tubeworms or coral polyps on occasion. It is more gentle with corals than other Centropyge dwarf angelfish.

Usually Compatible

Unlike other Dwarf Angelfish, it does not prefer smaller tank mates unless there is competition for algae in a smaller tank, making it usually compatible with a wide range of fish including Clownfish, Damselfish, Pufferfish, and Parrotfish.

Sometime Compatible

The Cebu Coral Beauty generally only tends to be aggressive if the tank it is in is too small and it feels compelled to defend it’s territory. It may show aggression to other Dwarf Angelfish unless the tank is significantly larger than 378 litres and there are plenty of hiding places for both. If you are keeping multiple Angelfish you’ll need to ensure that they have plenty to eat, to ensure a peaceful tank. They are usually also compatible with Eels, Rays, Wrasse, Invertebrates, and Crustaceans, but monitor them.

Rarely Compatible

When housed in larger tanks, the Cebu Coral Beauty Angelfish is the least likely of all dwarf angelfish to bother corals. It should never be kept with predatory fish like Snappers or Sharks as they are likely to snack on your Coral Beauty. Also it shouldn’t be kept with delicate slow swimming fish that will compete for the same food resources like Seahorses and Pipefish as they will lose out to the faster Angelfish and likely starve.

Feeding your Cebu Coral Beauty Angelfish

The Cebu Coral Beauty Angelfish is omnivorous the same as the normal Coral Beauty Angelfish. In the wild, it primarily feeds on algae, but it will also consume tiny animals that live in the algae. In captivity, their diet will consist primarily of algae, but will also include some other proteins. It is critical to provide them with a variety of nutritious foods. Fresh and dried marine algae, spirulina-enriched foods, mysis shrimp, shaved shrimp, and other high-quality meaty foods, angelfish preparations, and flakes or pellets designed for algae-eating fish are all suitable. There are several high-quality commercial foods on the market, including Formula II and Angel Formula. Even if natural foods are available, feed several times per day.