Centropyge shepardi

Datasheet

General Description

The True Shepard’s Angelfish (Centropyge shepardi), also known as the Mango Angelfish, is a dwarf marine angelfish native to coral reefs in remote areas of the Western Pacific. It can be found in regions such as the Mariana Islands, Ogasawara, and occasionally the Izu Islands of Japan. At a glance, the True Shepard’s Angelfish resembles the Coral Beauty Angelfish but features less blue and purple coloration, with a predominantly orange body and blue markings.

Aquarium Suitability

This hardy species is considered a good eater with a hearty appetite, generally not bothering corals when well-fed and provided with ample live rock for grazing. Due to its size potential of up to 4 inches, a tank size of 70 gallons or larger with plenty of live rock and open swimming space is recommended. Thus, making it an excellent candidate for both entry-level and advanced aquarists.

Care and Hardiness

The True Shepard’s Angelfish is categorized as a semi-aggressive fish with moderate care requirements. To thrive, it needs a diet rich in enriched frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, spirulina, and other high-quality prepared marine angelfish foods.

Reef Suitability

This species is considered reef-compatible with caution. While they generally do not harm corals, some individuals may exhibit nipping behavior towards certain coral species. Careful monitoring is recommended when housing them in a reef aquarium.

Aquarium Setup

For optimal care, aquariums housing True Shepard’s Angelfish should have a stable water pH ranging from 8.1 to 8.4, a carbonate hardness (KH) of 8-12, and a specific gravity (SG) of 1.020-1.025. The setup should include plenty of hiding spots within live rock, as well as open spaces for swimming.

Behaviour

True Shepard’s Angelfish typically display semi-aggressive behavior, especially towards conspecifics and other similarly shaped fish. Providing adequate hiding spots and swimming space can help alleviate aggression within a tank environment.

Feeding and Diet

As omnivores, True Shepard’s Angelfish require a varied diet to thrive in captivity. Offering a mix of enriched frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, spirulina, and quality marine angelfish diets will help meet their nutritional needs.

Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism in the True Shepard’s Angelfish is not pronounced, making it challenging to visually distinguish between males and females. In captivity, these angelfish have been successfully bred, with detailed records of their captive reproduction remaining scarce.

Habitat and Distribution

In the wild, True Shepard’s Angelfish inhabit coral reefs in remote regions of the Western Pacific, including the Mariana Islands, Ogasawara, and occasionally the Izu Islands of Japan. These fish are commonly found in areas with ample live rock for grazing and hiding spots for protection.