Common name: Purplemask angelfish

Scientific name: Centropyge venusta (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969)
サンゴ水槽のスミレヤッコスミレヤッコとサンゴ礁
水面を見つめるスミレヤッコ水槽で遊ぶスミレヤッコ

General information

The Venustus Angelfish, scientifically known as Centropyge venusta, is a vibrant and captivating species popular among marine aquarists. This species is part of the dwarf angelfish group and is renowned for its striking coloration, which includes a vivid blue back and a yellow to orange front, separated by a distinctive purple mask across the eyes.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
100 liter (26 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
24 to 27 °C (75 to 81 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
15 cm (6″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Sensitive to water quality.
Diet
Omnivore Varied diet; include algae.
Social
Pair Pairs or small groups.
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Peaceful
Captive bred
Yes Some success in home aquaria.

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Angelfishes
    Pomacanthidae
  6. Genus
    Dwarf Angelfishes
    Centropyge Kaup, 1860
  7. Species
    Purplemask angelfish
    Centropyge venusta (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969)
  8. Synonyms
    Holacanthus venustus Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969
    Paracentropyge venusta (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969)
    Sumireyakko venustus (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969)

Care

Venustus Angelfish require a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding. They are known to nip at stony and soft corals, so they are best kept in a fish-only or a reef tank with caution. A varied diet of marine algae, spirulina, mysis shrimp, and other high-quality angelfish preparations will help maintain their color and health.

Reproduction

Like many marine angelfish, Venustus Angelfish are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they are born female and can change to male if the dominant male is removed. They are difficult to breed in captivity, with successful breeding typically occurring in larger systems with stable, well-maintained water conditions.

Habitat

Native to the Western Pacific, specifically around the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, and the Philippines, Venustus Angelfish are found at depths ranging from 5 to 30 meters. They prefer coral-rich areas and clear lagoons where they can graze on algae and small invertebrates.