Colin's Angelfish (Centropyge colini) is a secretive dwarf angelfish associated with caves, overhangs, and deeper fore-reef habitat in the tropical Pacific.
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Responsible care profile
A cryptic deep-reef dwarf angelfish with difficult acclimation; require a quiet shaded mature reef and observed sustained feeding before purchase.
The structured record includes multiple references and at least one dedicated aquarium-care source.
3 referenced sources- Care level
- Advanced
- Minimum volume
- 75.3 US gal (285 L)
- Preferred volume
- 100.4 US gal (380 L)
- Adult size
- 3.5 in (9 cm) · total length
- Reef compatibility
- Not Reef Safe
- Temperament
- Territorial reef omnivore
- Social plan
- single specimen
- Minimum footprint
- 120 × 50 cm / 47.2 × 19.7 in mature sheltered reef
Water
- Temperature
- 75.2–80.6 °F (24–27 °C)
- Salinity / specific gravity
- 1.023–1.026 SG
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
Habitat
mature reef structure; long open swimming lanes; multiple adult-sized refuges.
Several caves and visual barriers.
Light: Subdued reef lighting with shaded deep-reef shelter.
Flow: Strong broad oxygenated flow with protected resting zones.
Secure lid required.
Feeding
omnivore with sponge and benthic-invertebrate material · Three or more varied marine feedings daily. · Food options: high-quality marine angelfish food, mysis, sponge-containing marine blend, marine zooplankton · Verify active feeding before purchase and maintain dietary variety rather than relying on grazing alone.
Compatibility
Provide visual barriers and introduce only after adult size and social structure are planned.
Avoid or assess carefully: other similar angelfishes, food competitors during acclimation, sessile invertebrates if reef safety is essential.
What the evidence establishes
Field-level source review. Aquarium recommendations remain husbandry guidance, not experimentally validated limits.
- Reported maximum body size with measurement type
Acclimation and quarantine
Quarantine, verify feeding, use a covered acclimation box, and provide immediate cave access.
Stocking safeguards
Aquarium setting: Home aquarium. Starvation risk: high.
After peaceful established fishes, with its permanent refuges and feeding stations ready.
- No purchase without observed feeding
- No uncovered aquarium
- No cramped territory
- No reef-safe guarantee
Special risks
- Feeding refusal
- Territorial aggression
- Coral and clam nipping
- Marine ectoparasites
- Can jump
Husbandry Findings and Limits
These findings explain what the cited evidence supports. Facility precautions are identified separately from tested captive outcomes.
Documented aquarium husbandry — Documented keeping guidance; not a controlled trial
Feeding: omnivore with sponge and benthic-invertebrate material. Three or more varied marine feedings daily. Food options: high-quality marine angelfish food, mysis, sponge-containing marine blend, marine zooplankton. Several caves and visual barriers. Water movement: Strong broad oxygenated flow with protected resting zones. Lighting: Subdued reef lighting with shaded deep-reef shelter. Provide visual barriers and introduce only after adult size and social structure are planned. Quarantine, verify feeding, use a covered acclimation box, and provide immediate cave access.
Scope and remaining limit: Species-matched author guidance is available; it is not a controlled lifetime trial.
Sources: TFH — Marine angelfish diet, space and water-quality careHabitat and Distribution
A secretive dwarf angelfish associated with caves, overhangs, and deeper fore-reef habitat in the tropical Pacific. Its documented range includes Central Pacific, Western Pacific, Deep reefs.
Feeding and Ecological Role
Grazes algae and consumes sponges, tunicates, and other small encrusting organisms.
Conservation and Responsible Sourcing
Prefer traceable captive-bred animals where available and verify lawful, low-impact origin. Verify legal origin, collection method, and current trade requirements before acquisition.
A living record
Source-governed foundation profile. Accepted taxonomy and ecological context are reconciled to FishBase and WoRMS. Media identity follows the authoritative Wikimedia Commons record; ambiguous images remain at genus or family level rather than being assigned from appearance. Public content last reviewed September 19, 2026.
- FishBase — Centropyge colini ↗Scientific fish database
- World Register of Marine Species — Centropyge colini ↗Taxonomic authority