Eibli Angelfish

Another saltwater dwarf angelfish, the Eibli Angelfish is often available and not all that expensive either. The Eibli has a variety of common names including the Blacktail Angelfish, the Orangeline Angelfish and in some circles it's called Eibl's Anglefish. They are found on the reef at depths of 1 to 30 meters (3 - 90 feet) and are often found among groups of Halfblack Angelfish (C. vrolikii) which they may inter-breed with. You'll read several places that say you can keep them in tanks as small as 30 gallons (114 liters) but a 55 gallon would work out better given their potential adult size of 6 inches (15 cm). The Eibli is one of the bigger of the dwarf species.

Like the other dwarf angels you'll want to keep only one of these per tank because they will fight with other dwarf angelfish. Provide plenty of hiding places for them and they should be out and about more often. They have the reputation of being very shy, but ours is extremely inquisitive and does not shy away from our hand when doing tank maintenance. Keeping them in a reef tank setup may not be a good idea. They might nip clam mantles and corals.

Feeding them can be a little challenging at first. Try introducing a variety of foods several times a day. Two small feedings a day would be good. Ours went after defrosted mysis shrimp right away, but didn't take to the algae on the veggie clip at first. Placing a small piece of dried algae sheet under a rock did the trick. After it was used to nipping at the algae under the rock we tried the veggie clip again and it worked. You may need to get creative trying to get them to eat.

All the dwarf angelfish can easily get the common saltwater fish diseases so a quarantine tank is a good idea.

Picture

Eibli Angelfish Blacktail Angelfish

Saltwater Fish Species Profile and Care Information

Scientific Name : Centropyge eibli

Common Names : Blacktail Angelfish, Orangeline Angelfish, Orange Stripe Angel, Eibli Angelfish

Eibli Angelfish Care Level : Easy to Moderate, take your time acclimating the Eibli to your aquarium.

Size : Up to 6 inches (15 cm)

Life span : 5 - 7 years, maybe longer

pH : 8.1 - 8.4

Temperature : 75°F - 80°F (25°C - 27°C)

Specific Gravity : 1.020 - 1.025

Carbonate Hardness (dKH) : 8 - 12°

Origin / Habitat : Western Pacific, Indonesia to Northwest Australia in water depths of 1 - 30 meters (3 - 100 feet) and often found on the reef slope.

Temperament / Behavior : They will fight with other dwarf angelfish in the home aquarium. They do best kept one dwarf per tank.

Breeding / Mating / Reproduction : Considered extremely difficult to breed in captivity, they are protogynous hermaphrodites (females turn into males). Breeding tanks are usually taller because of the interesting way in which they breed. The dwarf angels are harem breeders with one male for several females. They circle each other and then rise simutaneously to the surface releasing gametes. The male then moves on to the next female. Getting them to spawn may not be all that difficult (for professional breeders) but raising the eggs is an entirely different matter, requiring super tiny (plankton like) foods as they advance through their various growth stages.

Tank Size : 30 gallon (114 liters) minimum for one dwarf angel, much larger if you plan on keeping multiples. The Eibli Angelfish would do better in a 55 gallon tank since it can get a bit bigger than other dwarf angelfish.

Compatible Tank Mates : Avoid keeping them with larger eels, lionfish or any fish large enough to eat them. Keeping them in a reef tank seems to be hit or miss, use caution. They might nip clam mantles, soft corals and zoanthids. It's not recommended to keep more than one dwarf angelfish per tank because of aggression.

Fish Disease : Saltwater Fish Disease - Diagnose, Symptoms and Treatment. A quarantine tank is a must! They can easily get cryptocaryon when stressed. Provide stable water parameters, highly nutritious foods and a uv sterilizer might help.

Diet / Fish Food : Omnivorous, but try to give them a balanced diet of algae and meaty marine foods. They should eventually accept vitamin enriched flake foods, frozen and live foods. Having live rock is a great idea because it will provide grazing opportunities. Try for at least two small feedings every day.

Tank Region : All over the tank, likes to have hiding places in the rock work.

Gender : Considered difficult to determine external differences between males and females.

Gallery Photos : Eibli Angelfish Photos - Upload your Eibli photos too!

References / Recommended Reading
Michael, S. W. (2001). Marine Fishes, 500+ Essential to Know Aquarium Species. T.F.H. Publications.

"Centropyge eibli". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. November 2005 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2005.

Michael, S. (2004), TFH Publications. Reef Fish Series - Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes, Plus Ten More Aquarium Fish Families with Expert Captive Care Advice for the Marine Aquarist

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Eibl's Angelfish Tips

From: Tim
Mine developed ich right away, like within the first day of introducing it into my reef tank. Catching it in my reef tank wasn't an option with all the live rock. I bought an ultraviolet sterilizer and it seems to have helped, although I don't know if there are any bad side effects to using a UV sterilizer with corals... But dosing ich meds in my reef tank wasn't an option. Still researching the side effects of using a sterilizer with corals and if it turns out to be a bad idea I will turn it off once the eibli recovers. They only thing it is eating is the small amounts of algae on the rock. Still trying to get it to eat mysis, brine and seaweed salad. This angelfish looked strong, vibrant and completely healthy at the fish store but I've learned a lesson here and will use a qt tank on all future fish purchases.

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