Venusta Angelfish

General information

Venusta angelfish are somewhat rare dwarf angelfish that has a yellow body and face area, with a triangular blue patch on top of the head, and a blue colored saddle area that starts near the front dorsal fin and extends overs the rear portion of the body and caudal fin. Anal and pelvic fins are edged in blue. These angelfishes are usually found to inhabit steep outer coral and rocky reef slopes from 20 to over 130 feet (6 – 40 m) in depth. Usually observed singly, almost always upside down in reef caves.

In their natural environment, the Venusta angelfish are known to feed on sponges, tunicates, and various crustaceans. In captivity, these angelfishes may be fed with frozen foods including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and meals containing sponge matter or angelfish food preparations to be offered several times a day.

No sexual dimorphism observed with this angelfish species, however, male Venusta angelfish are larger than the females.

Not much is known on the details of breeding and spawning for this angelfish species, however, they are known to form hybrids with Centropyge multifasciata. Some aquarists have observed this species to spawn 2 hours before lights out in the tank, and can release 300 to 1000 eggs per spaawning.

The Purple Masked Angelfish are known to be distributed from Japan to the northern Philippines.

It is a fish that can be quite shy when first introduced to the aquarium, and may take a little time to settle, once accustomed in the tank, it can be rather territorial when new species (particularly docile/peaceful fish) are introduced to the tank afterwards. They are also known to pick on invertebrates found on live rocks.

The Venusta Angelfish is best acclimated to a dimly lit aquarium with live rock to provide hiding places to retreat in when feeling threatened.