Angel Keyhole (Centropyge Tibicin)
Keyhole Angelfish (Centropyge tibicin)
The Keyhole Angelfish is the largest member of the Centropyge genus, offering a bold and sophisticated presence in the marine aquarium. It is primarily characterized by its deep blue-to-black velvet body, which is dramatically interrupted by a distinct, vertical white oval or "keyhole" spot on its mid-section. The fins are often highlighted with a shimmering sapphire blue or yellow edge, making it one of the most elegant "pygmy" angels available.
Key Information
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Common Name: Keyhole Angelfish
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Scientific Name: Centropyge tibicin
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Origin: Indo-West Pacific (Southern Japan to the Great Barrier Reef)
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Max Size: 13–15 cm (The largest of the dwarf angels)
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Lifespan: 10–15 years
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Temperament: Semi-aggressive; can be territorial in smaller tanks
-
Diet: Omnivore – marine algae, spirulina, mysis shrimp, and high-quality frozen preparations
-
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Water Parameters
Temperature: 22–27°C pH: 8.1–8.4 Specific Gravity: 1.020–1.025 Minimum Tank Size: 200L+ (Due to its larger size and active nature)
Behaviour & Tank Compatibility
The Keyhole Angelfish is an active and curious species that requires more swimming room than its smaller cousins. While generally hardy, it can be quite territorial, especially toward other dwarf angelfish or newcomers with similar body shapes. It is "reef safe with caution"; it is a notorious nipper of large polyp stony (LPS) corals, soft corals, and clam mantles. It is often best suited for a fish-only-with-live-rock (FOWLR) system or a reef with "distasteful" corals like noxious soft corals or stinging polyps.
Ideal Tank Setup
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Large aquarium with significant horizontal swimming space to accommodate its size
-
Plenty of live rock arranged to create large caves and tunnels for exploration and security
-
An established system with natural algae growth to support its constant grazing behavior
-
Efficient filtration to handle the slightly higher bioload of this larger Centropyge species
Why Choose the Keyhole Angelfish?
The Keyhole Angelfish is perfect for the aquarist who wants the classic dwarf angelfish look but on a larger, more robust scale. Its monochromatic contrast is striking against colorful backdrops, and its high level of activity ensures there is always movement in the mid-to-lower sections of the tank. It is a resilient species that, once acclimated, serves as a long-lived and personality-rich inhabitant for larger marine systems.
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Angel Keyhole (Centropyge Tibicin)
Angel Keyhole (Centropyge Tibicin)
Keyhole Angelfish (Centropyge tibicin)
The Keyhole Angelfish is the largest member of the Centropyge genus, offering a bold and sophisticated presence in the marine aquarium. It is primarily characterized by its deep blue-to-black velvet body, which is dramatically interrupted by a distinct, vertical white oval or "keyhole" spot on its mid-section. The fins are often highlighted with a shimmering sapphire blue or yellow edge, making it one of the most elegant "pygmy" angels available.
Key Information
-
Common Name: Keyhole Angelfish
-
Scientific Name: Centropyge tibicin
-
Origin: Indo-West Pacific (Southern Japan to the Great Barrier Reef)
-
Max Size: 13–15 cm (The largest of the dwarf angels)
-
Lifespan: 10–15 years
-
Temperament: Semi-aggressive; can be territorial in smaller tanks
-
Diet: Omnivore – marine algae, spirulina, mysis shrimp, and high-quality frozen preparations
-
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Water Parameters
Temperature: 22–27°C pH: 8.1–8.4 Specific Gravity: 1.020–1.025 Minimum Tank Size: 200L+ (Due to its larger size and active nature)
Behaviour & Tank Compatibility
The Keyhole Angelfish is an active and curious species that requires more swimming room than its smaller cousins. While generally hardy, it can be quite territorial, especially toward other dwarf angelfish or newcomers with similar body shapes. It is "reef safe with caution"; it is a notorious nipper of large polyp stony (LPS) corals, soft corals, and clam mantles. It is often best suited for a fish-only-with-live-rock (FOWLR) system or a reef with "distasteful" corals like noxious soft corals or stinging polyps.
Ideal Tank Setup
-
Large aquarium with significant horizontal swimming space to accommodate its size
-
Plenty of live rock arranged to create large caves and tunnels for exploration and security
-
An established system with natural algae growth to support its constant grazing behavior
-
Efficient filtration to handle the slightly higher bioload of this larger Centropyge species
Why Choose the Keyhole Angelfish?
The Keyhole Angelfish is perfect for the aquarist who wants the classic dwarf angelfish look but on a larger, more robust scale. Its monochromatic contrast is striking against colorful backdrops, and its high level of activity ensures there is always movement in the mid-to-lower sections of the tank. It is a resilient species that, once acclimated, serves as a long-lived and personality-rich inhabitant for larger marine systems.
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
Keyhole Angelfish (Centropyge tibicin)
The Keyhole Angelfish is the largest member of the Centropyge genus, offering a bold and sophisticated presence in the marine aquarium. It is primarily characterized by its deep blue-to-black velvet body, which is dramatically interrupted by a distinct, vertical white oval or "keyhole" spot on its mid-section. The fins are often highlighted with a shimmering sapphire blue or yellow edge, making it one of the most elegant "pygmy" angels available.
Key Information
-
Common Name: Keyhole Angelfish
-
Scientific Name: Centropyge tibicin
-
Origin: Indo-West Pacific (Southern Japan to the Great Barrier Reef)
-
Max Size: 13–15 cm (The largest of the dwarf angels)
-
Lifespan: 10–15 years
-
Temperament: Semi-aggressive; can be territorial in smaller tanks
-
Diet: Omnivore – marine algae, spirulina, mysis shrimp, and high-quality frozen preparations
-
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Water Parameters
Temperature: 22–27°C pH: 8.1–8.4 Specific Gravity: 1.020–1.025 Minimum Tank Size: 200L+ (Due to its larger size and active nature)
Behaviour & Tank Compatibility
The Keyhole Angelfish is an active and curious species that requires more swimming room than its smaller cousins. While generally hardy, it can be quite territorial, especially toward other dwarf angelfish or newcomers with similar body shapes. It is "reef safe with caution"; it is a notorious nipper of large polyp stony (LPS) corals, soft corals, and clam mantles. It is often best suited for a fish-only-with-live-rock (FOWLR) system or a reef with "distasteful" corals like noxious soft corals or stinging polyps.
Ideal Tank Setup
-
Large aquarium with significant horizontal swimming space to accommodate its size
-
Plenty of live rock arranged to create large caves and tunnels for exploration and security
-
An established system with natural algae growth to support its constant grazing behavior
-
Efficient filtration to handle the slightly higher bioload of this larger Centropyge species
Why Choose the Keyhole Angelfish?
The Keyhole Angelfish is perfect for the aquarist who wants the classic dwarf angelfish look but on a larger, more robust scale. Its monochromatic contrast is striking against colorful backdrops, and its high level of activity ensures there is always movement in the mid-to-lower sections of the tank. It is a resilient species that, once acclimated, serves as a long-lived and personality-rich inhabitant for larger marine systems.
