Purplemask Angelfish
If you are looking for an exciting and beautiful fish to add to your aquarium, the purplemask angelfish may be just what you are looking for.
These fish are native to the Western Pacific Ocean and can grow up to five inches long.
This amazing angelfish type is known for its bright orange and yellow coloration, making it a popular choice for aquariums.
In this guide, we will discuss the care requirements for purplemask angelfish, so you can ensure they have a long and healthy life in your tank!
Characteristics
| Scientific Name | Paracentropyge venusta |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Perciformes |
| Family | Pomacanthidae |
| Genus | Centropyge |
| Species | C. venusta |
| Care Level | Expert |
| Size | 5 inches |
| Colors | Blue, orange, yellow |
| Lifespan | Up to 6 years |
| Temperature | 74-79° F / 23-27° C |
| pH | 8.1-8.5 |
| Carbonate Hardness | dKH 8-12 |
| Specific Gravity | sg. 1021-1.025 |
| Origin | Indo-Pacific |
| Tank Size | 75 gallon |
| Acclimation Time | 3+ hours |
| Behavior | Semi-Aggressive |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reef Aquarium Compatibility | Monitor |
Purplemask Angelfish Origin & Habitat
Centropyge venusta, the purplemask angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae.
It is found in the Western Pacific Ocean, specifically in southern Japan (the Ryukyu Islands and Izu Islands), Taiwan, and northern Luzon in the Philippines (Izu Islands, Taiwan.
The Purplemask Angelfish is a shy species that prefers to be alone but will sometimes be seen in pairs or small harems resting in an upside-down posture within a hidden cave, usually at a depth of 10-40 meters.
History of Purplemask Angelfish
The Purplemask angelfish was first scientifically described as Holocanthus venustus in 1969 by the Japanese ichthyologists Fujio Yasuda and Yoshiaki Tominaga from specimens collected in Sagami Bay, Izu Ōshima.
The specific name venusta translates to “beautiful” in Latin, indicating how attractive this angelfish is.
Purplemask Angelfish Behavior
As we previously mentioned, purplemask angelfish can live alone or in groups; these groups usually consist of one male and several females.
It’s also a proterogynous hermaphrodite species with one dominant male and a small harem of females inserted.
When the dominant male passes away, the most prominent female may change sex and take over the command.
Purplemask Angelfish Features
1. Appearance
The purplemask angelfish has a flat, oval-shaped body and a massive dorsal fin that tapers significantly at the top, giving it the appearance of a square.
This fish has a rounded and pointed head, and it also has enormous fleshy lips with similar teeth arranged like a brush.
The caudal fin is shortened, and there is a filament that highlights the pelvic apex.
2. Color
These stunning species have a fantastic blue and yellow coloration. The lower front portion of the body is blue, with a slight yellow blotch on the snout and two patches of yellow on the neck.
There is a blue wedge runs down the nape separating the yellow regions. And there is also an additional area of blue extending from the front of the dorsal fin and covering the rear portion of the body and the caudal fin.
Also, the pelvic and anal fins are yellow with blue margins.
Just to note, the distribution of the blue and yellow colors can differ from one fish to another.
3. Length
This species’ maximum length is 12 centimeters (4.7 inches).
4. Lifespan
In aquariums, purplemask angelfish can live for about six years.
Purplemask Angelfish Availability
The purplemask angelfish is a rare fish in the aquarium trade, and when it does become accessible, its prices are very high.
| Size | Price |
| Small: over 1.5-2″ | $249.99 |
| Medium: over 2-3″ | $269.99 |
| Large: over 3-4.5″ | $299.99 |
| X-Large: over 4-5″ | $349.99 |
| XX-Large: over 5″ | $399.99 |
How to Care for Purplemask Angelfish?
1. Water Parameters
Water Changes
Although purplemask angels are hardy, they require high water quality and aquarium maintenance to stay healthy and colorful.
To provide them with the ideal living conditions, we recommend performing a 20-25% water change every 2 weeks or 10-15% every week.
This will help remove any toxins in the water and replenish trace elements and minerals that the fish and other aquarium inhabitants have used up.
It is also essential to vacuum the gravel during these changes and remove uneaten food and decaying plant matter, releasing toxins into the water and harming your fish.
Water Temperature
Purplemask angelfish belongs to the western pacific ocean, with a water temperature of around 77-79°F (23-27°C).
It is essential to replicate these water conditions in your aquarium as closely as possible to ensure the health of your fish.
pH Range
When it comes to pH levels, purplemask angels are not too fussy and can adapt to a range of conditions.
However, it’s always a good idea to match the pH of your aquarium to that of their natural habitat as closely as possible, which is around 8.0-8.4.
Make sure to test your water regularly and take steps to raise or lower the pH as necessary.
Ammonia, Nitrite & Nitrate
One of the most important steps in keeping any fish in your aquarium healthy is to ensure high water quality.
To be honest, you can’t do so if you aren’t controlling ammonia, nitrite, & nitrate in the water.
If these toxins rise too high, it can quickly lead to your fish becoming sick and even dying. Ammonia should be 0 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm, and Nitrate should ideally be below 20 ppm.
Always test your water regularly, and if you notice any of these toxins rising too high, take action immediately to correct the problem.
Carbonate Hardness
The ideal carbonate hardness for a purplemask angelfish aquarium is between 8-12 dKH. This range helps them stay healthy and also maintain their beautiful colors.
Specific gravity
The ideal specific gravity for a purplemask angelfish aquarium is between 1.021-and 1.025.
2. Tank Setup
Tank Size
Purplemask Angelfish are semi-aggressive species that require enough space to feel comfortable and secure in the aquarium.
Because of this, we recommend establishing an aquarium with a minimum volume of 75 gallons that is adequately filtered.
This large-size tank will provide your fish with plenty of room to swim and help reduce aggression between tankmates.
Hiding Places
When establishing your aquarium, be sure to include plenty of hiding places and plants for your fish to explore.
Purplemask angels are shy by nature, so they often seek out places to hide when they feel stressed or threatened.
By providing them with plenty of options, you can help reduce their stress levels and keep them healthy.
Purplemask Angelfish Diet
The Purple Masked Angelfish are omnivores, meaning they consume both meaty and plant-based foods.
To provide them with all the nutrients they need, we recommend including various foods in their diet, such as live, frozen, and freeze-dried foods.
Here are some examples of foods that your Purplemask Angelfish will love:
- Spirulina
- Marine algae
- Mysis shrimp
- Frozen shrimp
- High quality prepared angelfish foods that contain sponges
- Other meaty products
Purplemask Angelfish compatibility
The Purplemasked angelfish is semi-aggressive species and can be kept with non-threatening fish.
However, it’s not recommended to keep this species with small fish enough to fit into its mouth.
It should also not be housed with Angelfish species of the same color or form, as they may become aggressive and excessively violent to individuals of similar colors or shapes.
Is Purplemask Angelfish Reef Safe?
Purple Masked Angelfish are known for being reef safe, but they may also bite sessile invertebrates and clam mantles.
So, it is recommended to keep an eye on them if you have any invertebrates in your aquarium.
Purplemask Angelfish Breeding
After you know everything about these beautiful fish, you might be wondering if it is possible to breed them in captivity. The good news is that, yes, it is possible to do so!
These species reach sexual maturity at around 6 inches in length. Once they are mature, they will likely pair off and mate with another Purplemask Angelfish.
When the pair is ready to mate, the female will lay her eggs on a flat surface, and the male will fertilize them.
Both parents will guard the eggs until they hatch, which usually takes about ten days.
Once the fry hatch, they will feed one of the yolk sacs for the first few days and then learn to eat baby brine shrimp.
As they grow, you can introduce them to other foods such as flakes, pellets, and live foods.
Purplemask Angelfish Possible Diseases
This fish is a robust species that is largely immune to disease. However, as with other angelfish, they are vulnerable to ich (white spot), velvet (golden flukes), and other diseases.
ich
Ich is a common freshwater fish disease caused by a parasitic protozoan.
Symptoms of ich include white spots on the body and fins, increased mucus production, lethargy, and decreased appetite.
If left untreated, ich can be fatal to your fish.
velvet
Velvet is another common freshwater fish disease caused by a parasitic protozoan. Symptoms of velvet include gold or brown dust-like particles on the body and fins, increased mucus production, lethargy, and decreased appetite.
We recommend quarantining new fish before adding them to your main aquarium to prevent these diseases from occurring.
We also recommend performing regular water changes and keeping a close eye on your fish for any signs of illness.
Last Words
The Purplemask Angelfish is a beautiful and peaceful species that make a great addition to any aquarium.
While they are not the easiest fish to care for, they are definitely worth the effort.
We hope that you enjoyed reading this as much as we did. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.
