Melas (Keyhole) Angelfish
Centropyge tibicen
Price range: $44.99 through $48.99
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 3 - 4" - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $124.99.$65.99Current price is: $65.99. | Email me |
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Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | With Caution |
| Functional Benefit | Algae Control |
| Diet Type | Omnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 20 gallons |
| Max Size | 8 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Melas (Keyhole) Angelfish is an active rockwork grazer that helps with algae control by picking at biofilm and growth on hard surfaces. Adults are mostly dark with a distinctive pale “keyhole” marking on the upper flank, plus yellow on the pelvic/anal fin areas and fine blue edging along the fins.
What You’ll Observe:
- Short patrols between caves, with frequent stops to peck at live rock and tank surfaces
- A consistent “grazing loop” that repeats throughout the day once it settles in
- More defined adult patterning as it grows, shifting from juvenile markings toward the adult keyhole spot
- Confident behavior around its chosen rockwork zone, especially in established tanks
How to Succeed: Provide plenty of live rock and multiple crevices so it can graze and retreat between passes. Offer a varied menu (marine algae/spirulina plus meaty foods like mysis) at least twice daily to keep it active and engaged. In mixed-angel setups, it typically does best when introduced after the aquascape is established and territories are already broken up by rockwork.
Will the Keyhole Angelfish’s pattern change as it grows?
Juveniles can show a lighter bar that becomes a more variable central blotch as the fish matures, with the “keyhole” spot becoming more recognizable in adults.
Is it normal for this fish to peck at rock all day?
Yes’constant picking is typical grazing behavior, and many keepers notice it spends much of the day moving from surface to surface looking for edible films.
Can I keep more than one dwarf angel with it?
Some hobbyists have success when dwarf angels are introduced together (or carefully staged) in larger, rock-heavy systems, but individual personalities vary and plenty of separate graze zones helps.
Does “well-fed” change how it behaves in a reef?
Many reef keepers focus on frequent, varied feeding and mature rock growth so the fish spends more time grazing and less time “testing” new textures in the tank.
Where will it spend most of its time?
Most owners report it centers its day around the rockwork’using caves for quick retreats, then returning to open areas nearby to graze and make short loops.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
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