Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Reef Compatible: With Caution
General Description: Also known as the Royal Blue Pygmy Angelfish, Damsel Angelfish, Whitetail Pygmy Angelfish, Pygmy Yellowfin, or Pygmy Yellowtail Angelfish, its body and face are primarily blue and the tail is white. This species has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution. It is found on the East African coast in Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania across the Indian Ocean and into the Pacific Ocean as far as Hawaii and Johnston Atoll and Tuamotu. Its range extends north to southern Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef. In Australia it can be found at Christmas Island and the Cocos Islands as well as on the reefs off Western Australia. One male and several females can be kept together. Typical adult size is 2 to 3 inches in length making it one of the smallest of the Dwarf Angels.
Diet Requirements: The diet of the Pygmy Yellowtail Angelfish should include Spirulina, Chlorella, marine sheet algae, high-quality angelfish preparations, mysis or enriched frozen shrimp, and other meaty items. Flake or pellet foods can also be offered for variety. Feed small meals three times daily to help reproduce their natural grazing behavior.
Care Requirements: It requires a 30 gallon or larger aquarium with numerous hiding places and large amounts of live rock for grazing on microalgae. They are found in the coral rich bottoms of channels, reef slopes and areas of rubble. It can be very territorial and will often kill other Dwarf Angels, and harass any docile fish. Not the best candidate for reef dweller, the Pygmy Yellowtail Angelfish is prone to nip at stony and soft coral polyps and clam mantles, so consider them reef safe with caution. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase Size: Small: 1/2″ to 1″; Medium: 1″ to 2″; Large: 2″ to 3″
 Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.Â
