Half Black Angelfish (Centropyge Vroliki)

Species Name : Centropyge Vroliki

Care Level : Moderate

Temperament : Semi-aggressive

Diet : Omnivore 

Color : Black, WhiteDiet : Omnivore

Reef Compatible : With Caution

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 4"

Origin : Indo-Pacific

Family : Pomacanthidae

Minimum Tank Size : 70 gallons

Half Black Angelfish (Centropyge Vroliki), known commonly as the Pearlscale Angelfish or Half Black Angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is found in the Indo-Pacific.

Centropyge Vroliki as the name implies are half black. The front part of their body is covered with light gray to pearl colored scales that fade into a deep black coloration that covers the back portion of the body. The anal, caudal, and rear half of the dorsal fins are outlined in a bright baby blue color and the entire black and white pattern is accented by a yellow to yellow orange coloring. Half Black Angelfish posses an orange ring around the eye, an orange blotch in the middle to the rear of the gill cover, and yellowish accents on the pectoral and front half or the dorsal fins. Males are indistinguishable from females. 

It requires at least a 70 gallon tank with lots of hiding places. They do best in a tank with plenty of swimming room and live rock arranged into places where they can quickly hide, especially when there is more than one dwarf angelfish in the same aquarium.

When housed with larger or more aggressive fish, they are often passive and peaceful. However, they may be bullied by such fish so careful observations must be done. Due to aggression towards other Angelfish they are best kept singly but will do well with other fish. While they should not harm non-sessile invertebrates such as shrimp, snails or crabs. They may occasionally nip at SPS corals and some species of polyp corals, zoanthids, and clam mantles. 

It is very difficult to breed in an aquarium, and has no distinguishable differences in color between male to female. Half Black Angelfish are unsexed at the start of their life and differentiate into female adults. The bigger sized individual within the group will change to become a male. Sex reversal is possible when the need arises.

The diet of the Half Black Angelfish should include Spirulina, marine algae, mysis shrimp along with other meaty fare, and live rock for grazing. Feed 2 to 3 times daily. Fish that are well-fed are more likely to leave invertebrate life alone.

Size: Small: 1" to 1-3/4"; Medium: 1-3/4" to 2-1/2"; Large: 2-1/2" to 4-1/2"