Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean: New Guinea, Solomon Islands to New Caledonia, Marshall Islands, and Hawaiian Islands

Size: up to 3.5 inches (9 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabit outer reef slopes near areas of live coral at depths between 15 to over 150 feet (5 - 45 m)

General Husbandry: Prefer a temperature of 77 - 82°F (25 - 28°C) and natural diet consists mainly of algae, yet accepts a wide variety of foods in the aquarium including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and flake food (especially Spirulina). Is particularly fond of the new growth on Caulerpa. Needs numerous feeding per day. Probably the most popular of all the pygmy angelfish. The male tends to be slightly larger than the female and more orange in the center with more blue trim on the rear edge of the dorsal and anal fins. Seems to be fairly well behaved with inverts, yet as time passes it 'may' begin nipping on sessile invertebrates. May be best for the community of fishes if this is the last one added to the aquarium. Captive-bred specimens are slowly becoming available.

Aquarium Suitability: *