🐠 Shepard's Angelfish (Centropyge shepardi)
🐠 Shepard's Angelfish (Centropyge shepardi)
Marine Angelfish • Coral Reef Grazer • Reef-Associated
📋 The Shepard's Angelfish (Centropyge shepardi) is a rare and eye-catching dwarf angelfish from the Mariana and Ryukyu Islands. It features a burnt-orange to copper body accented with fine blue vertical stripes and blue edging on the fins, creating a striking visual effect in reef aquariums.
This species is calm, active, and well-suited for peaceful community or reef setups. It thrives in well-established aquariums with abundant live rock, using it for grazing and shelter. Males are typically more vividly colored and slightly larger than females, especially when housed in small harems.
The Shepard’s Angelfish is a fantastic choice for hobbyists looking for a hardy, unique, and rarely-seen species that blends beauty with gentle temperament.
💡 Highlights
✨ Rare Pacific species: native to the Mariana and Ryukyu Islands
⚪ Beautiful coloration: orange body with fine blue stripes and edging
📏 Moderate size: grows up to 10 cm (4")
✅ Reef compatible: safe with most corals under observation
🐠 Peaceful personality: excellent for community reef tanks
🧾 A Quick Look at the Shepard’s Angelfish
📛 Common Name: Shepard’s Angelfish
🔬 Scientific Name: Centropyge shepardi
👨👩👧 Family: Pomacanthidae
🌍 Origin: Western Pacific (Mariana Islands, Guam, Ryukyu Islands)
📏 Max Size: 10 cm (≈ 4")
💧 pH Range: 8.0 – 8.4
🌡️ Temperature Range: 24 – 27 °C (75 – 81 °F)
🧠 Care Level: Moderate
💖 Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive
🪸 Reef Safe: ✅ Yes – with caution; may nip at coral polyps occasionally
🏠 Min Tank Size: 180 L (48 US gallons)
📌 Tank Level: Middle to lower regions
🧬 Captive Bred: ❌ No
🌿 Wild Caught: ✅ Yes – sustainably collected from Western Pacific reefs
⏳ Lifespan: 5–8 years
🍽️ Diet: Omnivore (algae, sponges, mysis shrimp, marine pellets)
🐣 Reproduction: Harem spawner; protogynous hermaphrodite
