Most Expensive Dwarf Angelfishes

The article touches upon the issue of Most Expensive Dwarf Angelfishes.

Rare Pygmy Angelfishes Come at a Price

The Dwarf Angelfishes from the genus Centropyge are some of the best angelfishes for the home-sized marine aquarium. Many can be kept in a 30-gallon tank, and, despite their diminutive size, they have big appeal owing to their hardiness, bold coloration and curious nature. While many of the Dwarf Angelfish can be purchased for between $20 and $50 per fish, their a few that fetch more than $1,000 each. This article looks at two of the most exquisite (and expensive) Dwarf Angelfishes in the hobby.

The Resplendent Angelfish (Centropyge resplendens)

The Resplendent Angelfish (Centropyge resplendens) is a tropical angelfish from the Southeast Atlantic where it is endemic to the Ascension Islands and St Helena. Spending most of its time in the wild cruising rubble zones from 40 feet to 120 feet in depth, the Resplendent Angelfish is what might be termed a dwarf-Dwarf Angelfish.

Topping out at a whopping two and one-half inches in length, this Dwarf Angelfish proves that good things come in small packages. Remarkably hardy, the Resplendent Angelfish readily adapts to captive life and is even considered reef-compatible (so long as it is kept well fed, that is). Like all Dwarf Angelfishes, this one is an omnivore and should be fed a varied diet including meaty marine foods and marine algae (or nori).

Why the big price tag? Well the Resplendent Angelfish is certainly a beauty, but the real reason is the fact that it is only known to be indigenous to a small area. Luckily, this Dwarf Angel breeds in captivity, and the ones offered for sale in the marine aquarium industry are captive-bred, as this fish is listed on the World Conservation Union’s Red List of Threatened Animals.

The Resplendent Angelfish is the only marine angelfish on the Red List owing to its limited range despite the fact that wild populations are reported to be healthy around Ascension Island. The first captive-bred Resplendent Angelfish destined for the aquarium trade was reportedly raised at Reef Culture Technology is Hawaii in the summer of 2004.

If you want one, you might try Blue Zoo Aquatics. They list them for $1249.95 when they are available.

Japanese Angelfish (Centropyge interruptus)

This is a temperate water reef fish that ranges from 30 feet to nearly 200 feet in depth from southern and central Japan to the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Growing to six inches in length, this is one of the largest of the Dwarf Angelfish and really should be kept in nothing smaller than a 75-gallon aquarium. Like the Resplendent Angelfish (described above), this is a remarkably hardy fish that will make an excellent (albeit expensive) addition to a community reef tank. Like most fishes in the genus, the Japanese Angelfish is quite aggressive toward its own kind, but will usually do fine with other larger fishes and even other Dwarf Angelfishes.

The price for this fish is definately a result of its beautiful coloration and demand. This is one of the most requested fish in the hobby for aquarists looking for a show specimen, and not a lot of them make their way to the local fish store or even the top online retailers. The Japanese Angelfish is not considered to be endangered.

If you want to try to get your hands on one, Blue Zoo Aquatics and Live Aquaria both have them from time to time, but you’re looking at a price tag between $1200 and $1600.