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The Fireball Angelfish is a real showstopper — boasting deep blues and brilliant oranges, it’s no wonder it’s become a favourite in the marine hobby world. Native to the Caribbean and Western Atlantic, this dwarf angelfish usually grows to around 7cm (3 inches), making it ideal for smaller reef tanks. What sets them apart is their bold behaviour despite their size. They’re known to be semi-aggressive, especially toward other dwarf angels, so careful planning is needed when it comes to tank mates. Their curious and active nature means you’ll often spot them darting between rockwork and coral, keeping your tank lively and engaging. I’ll never forget the first time I spotted one in my local aquarium shop—its vibrant colours instantly hooked me, sparking my journey into understanding its care needs. In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to keep your fireball angel fish thriving, from tank setup to feeding and health tips.
Choosing Your Fireball Angel Fish
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Setting Up the Perfect Tank
Despite its small size, the Fireball Angelfish is highly active and needs space to roam. We recommend a minimum tank size of 30 gallons (roughly 135 litres) with plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding spots. Keep the water temperature stable between 24°C and 26°C, with a pH between 8.1 and 8.4 and salinity at 1.020 to 1.025 SG. A moderate flow rate is ideal — enough to mimic natural reef currents but not so powerful that the fish struggles to swim. Lighting isn’t critical for the fish itself, but if you’re keeping corals, balance is important. Ensure your filtration system is up to the job, as Fireball Angelfish prefer well-oxygenated, clean water. A protein skimmer can be a helpful addition for long-term health.
Feeding Your Fireball Angel Fish
Fireball Angelfish are omnivores and do best with a varied diet. Offer a mix of marine algae, spirulina, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and high-quality angelfish pellets or flakes. Occasional treats like finely chopped clam or krill are also appreciated. Feed small amounts 2–3 times per day. Overfeeding can cause poor water quality and health issues, so only offer what your fish can consume within a minute or two. They’re natural grazers and will spend part of their day pecking at live rock and algae in the tank, so consider adding nori sheets on a clip as part of their routine. Make sure all food is appropriately sized — avoid large chunks that they may struggle to eat
Health and Maintenance
While generally hardy, Fireball Angelfish can be prone to common saltwater diseases like marine ich (Cryptocaryon irritans) and velvet disease if water conditions deteriorate. Keep an eye out for early symptoms such as white spots, rapid breathing, loss of appetite, or rubbing against rocks. To prevent illness, maintain stable water parameters and perform regular water changes (around 10–15% weekly). Quarantining new fish and avoiding sudden changes in temperature or salinity can greatly reduce the risk of disease outbreaks. If your fish becomes ill, treat promptly in a separate hospital tank using reef-safe medications, as many treatments can harm corals and invertebrates. Fireball Angelfish have a lifespan of up to 5–7 years in captivity with proper care — a rewarding addition to any marine setup.
Caring for a fireball angel fish takes some effort, but the payoff is immense. With the right tank setup, a tasty and varied diet, and a bit of TLC, you’ll have a dazzling centrepiece for your aquarium. Got any questions or your own angel tales? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!
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