How to Breed Dwarf Marine Angelfish

There are many different types of marine angelfish. Centropyges are commonly known as dwarf or pygmys. They come in a large variety of different sizes and colors. All of these fish are sequential hermaphrodites. They are all born female and, if need be, turn into males for reproductive purposes. Some types of marine angelfish are harder to breed in captivity than others. The Dwarf Pygmy angelfish, otherwise known as the Cherub fish, is said to be one of the easier types to breed in captivity.

Things You'll Need

  • Multiple fish
  • 55-gallon saltwater aquarium
  • Aquarium thermometer
  • Aquarium heater
  • Live coral
  • Sandy substrate
  • Aquarium ornaments
  • pH kit
  • Copepod nauplii
  • Brine shrimp
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make sure your tank is properly set up to make your fish the most comfortable. Sandy substrate and live coral need to be set up well in advance of introducing the fish. A floating thermometer temperature should be read a minimal of two hours after being placed in the tank, as temperature may fluctuate. The tank water should be kept at 75 to 82 degrees, Fahrenheit. Adjust the tank heater as needed. Angelfish need plenty of places to hide and should have access to many tank ornaments. Use your pH test kit to ensure that the levels in the tank are between 8.1 and 8.4. Water changes will help lower the level and adding shells or more coral can raise it.

    • 2

      Introduce multiple fish at the same time to the tank. Ideally, about five of the same type of fish, but in different sizes. This allows the fish to determine on their own who the "king" of the tank is, while creating a harem. Allow 30 to 60 days (depending on the type of fish) for the "king" fish to become male if it does not already possess male sex organs.

    • 3

      Look for indications that spawning is about to begin. The "king" fish will start to change color. Typically it will get paler in most species. In the evening at dusk or an hour after dark, the female fish will go into open water near the top of the tank. The male will lightly bump into her and nuzzle her. She will release eggs and he will release sperm openly into the water. The eggs will float to the top and stay in the current.

    • 4

      Look for the eggs to hatch anywhere between 12 and 20 hours depending on the type of angelfish. They will feed off of their yolk sacs for the first two days. After two days feed the babies Copepod nauplii. Depending on the type of angelfish it can take from 45 to 105 days for the fish to fully develope. A large variety of planktons and live foods such as brine shrimp can be fed at this time.