🐠 Brazilian Flameback Angelfish (Centropyge aurantonotus)
🐠Brazilian Flameback Angelfish (Centropyge aurantonotus)
Marine Angelfish • Coral Reef Grazer • Nano Reef Specialist
📋 The Brazilian Flameback Angelfish (Centropyge aurantonotus) is a vibrant dwarf angelfish featuring an intense orange-gold dorsal region that fades beautifully into a deep royal blue body. Native to the reefs of Brazil and the Caribbean, this species is bold, active, and remarkably hardy for its size.
Though small, the Flameback’s fiery coloration and confident behavior make it a striking centerpiece for nano and medium reef aquariums. It’s best kept in tanks with ample live rock for grazing and territories, and will thrive in well-maintained systems with stable parameters.
Closely related to the African Flameback (Centropyge acanthops), the Brazilian variety is slightly deeper blue and more vivid orange — a true gem of the Atlantic reef world.
💡 Highlights
✨ Fiery coloration: vivid orange back over deep royal blue body
⚪ Hardy and bold: excellent for nano and community reef tanks
📏 Compact size: reaches up to 7 cm (2.8")
✅ Reef compatible: safe with most corals under supervision
🐠 Energetic personality: confident swimmer and grazer
🧾 A Quick Look at the Brazilian Flameback Angelfish
📛 Common Name: Brazilian Flameback Angelfish
🔬 Scientific Name: Centropyge aurantonotus
👨👩👧 Family: Pomacanthidae
🌍 Origin: Western Atlantic (Caribbean Sea, Brazil, Lesser Antilles)
📏 Max Size: 7 cm (≈ 2.8")
💧 pH Range: 8.0 – 8.4
🌡️ Temperature Range: 24 – 27 °C (75 – 81 °F)
🧠 Care Level: Easy
💖 Temperament: Semi-aggressive; territorial toward similar species
🪸 Reef Safe: ✅ Yes – with caution; may nip at coral polyps or clam mantles
🏠 Min Tank Size: 110 L (30 US gallons)
📌 Tank Level: Middle to lower regions
🧬 Captive Bred: ❌ No
🌿 Wild Caught: ✅ Yes – sustainably collected from Western Atlantic reefs
⏳ Lifespan: 5–7 years
🍽️ Diet: Omnivore (algae, sponges, mysis shrimp, marine pellets)
🐣 Reproduction: Pair or harem spawner; protogynous hermaphrodite
