The Breeder's Registry© Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations from aquarist unless noted otherwise (see comments). Information may be reproduced providing the Breeder's Registry is cited.


Breeder ID: CENARG-072493-MCCJIM-003 Date received: 7/24/93


Identification: Centropyge argi (Woods & Kanazawa, 1951)Geographic origin: Atlantic Taxonomy: (after I.C.Z.N.)

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata

Subphylum Vertebrata

Class Osteichthyes

Order Perciformes Superorder Teleostei

Family Pomacanthidae


Genus Centropyge

Species argi (Woods & Kanazawa, 1951)

Duration male(yr): 5.0 Size male (mm): 89 Duration female 1 (yr): 5.0 Size female 1 (mm): 76

Broodstock notes: can be paired in tanks as small as 10 liters

Physical differences: Male is larger

Adult diet: Anything!

Pre-spawning activity: Soaring continues approximately 3 hours in evening

Time spawning began: twilight (PM Area spawning occurred: upper levels near surface

Frequency of spawning: nightly Egg description: pelagic

Approximate quantity: 175 - 200 Size: ~ 1 mm

Egg changes / development: short incubation, hatch next day

Incubation period: 17 - 18 hours Time hatching occurred:

Size of hatching larvae: 1.5 mm Yolk sac present?: yes

Newly hatched appearance: Only a slender lateral spine and yolk sac visible

Transfer / removal method: not indicated

Spawning tank size (liter): multiple tanks >10 Sides of tank covered? No

Lighting & photoperiod: Metal halide, fluorescents, spots. 16 hours controlled by timer

Filtration: liverock, wet/dry, cannister

Additives and dosages: none

Water temperature (F): 74 Specific gravity: 1.022 pH: 8.2 Nitrate: 0.15 ppm


Fry development / changes: not indicated

First food offered: dinoflagellates, ciliates, rotifers

Second food offered: egg yolk, greenwater

Survival 1st week(%): 2nd week: 0%

Development description: No success beyond 9 days


Rearing tank size (liter) varied Sides of tank covered? No

Lighting & photoperiod: various types and periods

Filtration: none

Additives and dosages: none

Water temperature (F): varied Specific gravity: 1.022 pH: not indicated Nitrate: none detected


Comments: No other information provided

Word origin: Centr, -I, -o (Greek). The center; a point, spur. pygm, (Greek) dwarf. The common name "Pygmy" or Dwarf" angel is apparent from the word root pygm. Centro may be in reference to the spine (spur) at the angle (The center) of the preopercle. The genus argi has two possible word roots; arg, -o (Greek) shining, bright, or argi, =a (Greek) Idleness, leisure. Since this species is not brilliantly colored (nor silvery) the latter word root would seem more appropriate and may be a reference to activity. Additionally roots listed with an possible ending preceeded by an equal ( = ) sign may be used alone.

The common name is Cherubfish or Dwarf Angelfish

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