Centropyge nigriocella - Blackspot Pygmy Angelfish Profile

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The Blackspot Pygmy Angelfish, scientific name Centropyge nigriocella identified to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts because the Blackspot Angelfish, Black Spot Angelfish, and Ocellated Angelfish ranges from the Admiralty Islands, Caroline Island, Central Pacific, Wallis Island in French Polynesia, Guam, Johnston Atoll, Fanning Island in Kiribati, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia, Northern Mariana Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Society Islands, and numerous the United States Minor Outlying Islands.

Centropyge nigriocella Overview

Minimum Tank Size: 90 gallons
Aquarium Type: Reef with rubble rock
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy when acclimated
Water Conditions: 77 °F – 82.4 °F, 8 to 12 dKH , pH 8.1 – 8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 2.36″
Color Form: Yellow, Black
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Single species; peaceable tankmates
Origin: Central Pacific
Family: Pomacanthidae
Lifespan: Unknown
Aquarist Experience Level: Advanced

They have additionally been reported in scattered localities from Holmes Reef within the Coral Sea and the West Central Pacific at depths from 15 to over 50 feet.

Blackspot Pygmy Angelfish is a particularly rare species that incessantly inhabit the clear lagoons and outer reefs of their range, normally around areas with lots of rubble and useless corals the place they graze on algae.

Blackspot Pygmy Angelfish (Centropyge nigriocella) are extraordinarily uncommon within the aquarium commerce and exceedingly costly when provided on the market. The final 1.7-inch specimen captured from Vanuatu was offered in Japan for just a little over $16,000.00.

The cause some fish species fetch exorbitant costs is due to their isolation in distribution, the depths at which they stay, or each.

The cause Blackspot Pygmy Angelfish, Centropyge nigriocella are so costly is as a result of they’re so cryptic and infrequently seen of their natural habitat. Capturing an elusive species this small is just a matter of luck.

Distribution

Pacific Ocean: patchy distribution, from Johnston Atoll to the Society Islands, additionally reported from the Mariana and Admiralty Islands. Recently reported from Ouvéa Atoll, Loyalty Islands.

Centropyge nigriocella Short description

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal tender rays (total): 15; Anal spines: 3; Anal tender rays: 15. This species is distinguished by the next: lacrymal bone has 2 stout spines; 18-gill rakers; 2 darkish blotches, one on the pectoral fin base and the opposite on the posterior basis of the dorsal fin; absence of darkish patch above the pectoral fin. Body depth 1.9-2.0 in SL. Scales longitudinal series 44.

Biology

Inhabits useless coral and rubble reefs in clear lagoons and uncovered seaward reefs. Benthopelagic. Extremely cryptic; by no means seen by divers besides poison stations. Feeds on algae. Never exported via aquarium commerce.

Centropyge nigriocella Behavior

The Blackspot Pygmy Angelfish,Centropyge nigriocella is a shy, reclusive, secretive, seldom seen species that has a pale yellow to nearly white body shade, with a big black spot that covers the bottom of the pectoral fin and a black, false black eyespot (ocellus) circled in white, on the rear a part of the dorsal fin.

Blackspot Pygmy Angelfish are believed to be ample of their range however due to their cryptic nature, seeing one is a matter of pure luck, and capturing one can be like successful the lottery.

In the aquarium commerce Centropyge nigriocella are even more uncommon and costly than the deepwater Peppermint Angelfish (Paracentropyge boylei). To date solely three specimens have been identified to be collected alive, with the newest specimen from Vanuatu being the second collected from that space.

Centropyge nigriocella Aquarium

Blackspot Pygmy Angelfish ought to be housed in a mature reef aquarium of a minimum of 90-gallon capability with loads of stay rock and useless corals organized into caves, overhangs, and crannies for them to graze and conceal amongst.

Being shallow-water species, they are often housed with anthias, gobies, chromis, and different smaller nonaggressive species. Because they stay in a reef environment, pristine water high quality is necessary together with regular water changes.

Breeding

Although nothing is thought in regards to the breeding habits of Centropyge nigriocella, they’re believed to be egg scatterers and assumed to observe the same breeding habits.

Diet

Blackspot Pygmy Angelfish, Centropyge nigriocella are omnivores that feed primarily on algae. In an aquarium environment, they need to be supplied with a big amount of mature stay rock in addition to feedings of Algae, Brine Shrimp, Frozen Foods, Mysis shrimp, and Angelfish formulation.

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