Shepardi Angelfish ( Centropyge shepardi )

Scientific Name : Centropyge shepardi

Reef Compatible : With Caution

Care Level : Intermediate

Disposition : Semi-aggressive

Min. Tank Size : 50 gallons

Mature Size : 3.5 inches

Diet : Omnivore

Range : Western Pacific

The Shepardi Angelfish is rarely imported, mainly because it is only found near the Mariana and Ogasawara Islands. These two chains of islands are smack dab in the middle of the Western Pacific between Japan in the North and Papua New Guinea in the South.

Extremely remote and isolated, these islands make for great diving but not much collection is done in either chain. It is a shame because the Shepardi Angelfish adapts fairly well to captivity and is one of the few Centropyge Angelfish with color differences between males and females.

The males have darker, more distinct margining and a blue patch behind their gill plates. They will do best in an aquarium utilizing live rock for filtration or decoration. They may pick at stony and soft corals but their main diet is algae. The only reason they would bother with coral is if they are under fed and try to get to the zooxanthellae in the coral tissue.

They are not considered very aggressive and may be picked on by other fish. It is advised that the Shepardi Angelfish be the only dwarf Angelfish in the aquarium.