Dr. Hiroyuki Tanaka, Japan
Info
(Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969)
Paracentropyge venusta is very shy in general and one of the rare species in our home aquarium. Usually found in caves and deep reef slopes, Paracentropyge venusta needs to be acclimated to bright lights of our home aquarium in the same way many deep water anthias are. Paracentropyge venusta requires open rock structure with caves and overhangs in our tanks. It was previously classified as Holacanthus venustus, Paracentropyge venusta and recently to Sumireyakko venustus. The beautiful bright yellow body with the purplish/blue triangular patch over the eye and saddle across the back make this fish an unusual addition bound to attract the eye and conversation in any home aquarium. They rarely pick at stony or soft corals but have been known to pick at clam mantles. Smaller individuals will be model citizens leaving most fish and even other dwarf Angelfish alone. Adults can become belligerent and aggressive toward any tank mates that may share similar coloration or shape.
Paracentropyge venusta is very selective in his diet. In the wild it naturally eats sponge material but can be taught to consume frozen and prepared foods with time and patience and careful acclimation to aquarium life. Because it is a shy fish initially, special care needs to be taken to properly teach this fish to accept strange new foods. It is suggested to feed a mixture of Angelfish Formula that contains sponge matter as well as frozen mysis shrimp and spirulina to begin with.
Sex and mating
The $lat are female from birth. If two fish are put together, then the more dominant animal becomes the male (=protogyne hermaphrodite).
It is best to put two fish of different sizes at the same time. If a fish is already present, then the new fish should be either much smaller or larger. If a larger fish is added, which would be an advantage, then the internal aggression is not as pronounced. The difference in size can be an advantage when pairing up, but there will still be scuffles until the sexing is complete.
In nature,dwarf emperors live in pairs or in harem groups, i.e., one male with several females, usually among coral reefs.
Reefsafe
Anyone who purchases a $lat must expect that this LPS will nibble on or damage SPS corals, giant clams, and gorgonians. Of course, there may be differences depending on the individual animal, which is repeatedly reported in many forums. In terms of its general diet, $lat feeds mainly on algae, small invertebrates, and sponges. Nibbling is in the fish's genes, so it is just as common in captive-bred fish as it is in wild-caught fish. Perhaps not quite as strongly.
Keeping the fish in pairs can sometimes help, but it can also cause even more damage by imitating the partner.
If the coral is growing very well or has reached a certain size, the damage caused by nibbling should be tolerable.
Synonyms:
Centropyge venustus (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969)
Holacanthus venustus Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969
Paracentropyge venusta (Yasuda &Tominaga, 1969)
Sumireyakko venustus (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969)
Paracentropyge venusta is very shy in general and one of the rare species in our home aquarium. Usually found in caves and deep reef slopes, Paracentropyge venusta needs to be acclimated to bright lights of our home aquarium in the same way many deep water anthias are. Paracentropyge venusta requires open rock structure with caves and overhangs in our tanks. It was previously classified as Holacanthus venustus, Paracentropyge venusta and recently to Sumireyakko venustus. The beautiful bright yellow body with the purplish/blue triangular patch over the eye and saddle across the back make this fish an unusual addition bound to attract the eye and conversation in any home aquarium. They rarely pick at stony or soft corals but have been known to pick at clam mantles. Smaller individuals will be model citizens leaving most fish and even other dwarf Angelfish alone. Adults can become belligerent and aggressive toward any tank mates that may share similar coloration or shape.
Paracentropyge venusta is very selective in his diet. In the wild it naturally eats sponge material but can be taught to consume frozen and prepared foods with time and patience and careful acclimation to aquarium life. Because it is a shy fish initially, special care needs to be taken to properly teach this fish to accept strange new foods. It is suggested to feed a mixture of Angelfish Formula that contains sponge matter as well as frozen mysis shrimp and spirulina to begin with.
Sex and mating
The $lat are female from birth. If two fish are put together, then the more dominant animal becomes the male (=protogyne hermaphrodite).
It is best to put two fish of different sizes at the same time. If a fish is already present, then the new fish should be either much smaller or larger. If a larger fish is added, which would be an advantage, then the internal aggression is not as pronounced. The difference in size can be an advantage when pairing up, but there will still be scuffles until the sexing is complete.
In nature,dwarf emperors live in pairs or in harem groups, i.e., one male with several females, usually among coral reefs.
Reefsafe
Anyone who purchases a $lat must expect that this LPS will nibble on or damage SPS corals, giant clams, and gorgonians. Of course, there may be differences depending on the individual animal, which is repeatedly reported in many forums. In terms of its general diet, $lat feeds mainly on algae, small invertebrates, and sponges. Nibbling is in the fish's genes, so it is just as common in captive-bred fish as it is in wild-caught fish. Perhaps not quite as strongly.
Keeping the fish in pairs can sometimes help, but it can also cause even more damage by imitating the partner.
If the coral is growing very well or has reached a certain size, the damage caused by nibbling should be tolerable.
Synonyms:
Centropyge venustus (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969)
Holacanthus venustus Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969
Paracentropyge venusta (Yasuda &Tominaga, 1969)
Sumireyakko venustus (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969)
