Potter's Angelfish
Updated August 5, 2019
Author: Mike - FishLore Admin
Social Media: 
The Potter's Angelfish (Centropyge potteri) at first glance may be sort of drab looking in appearance but under T5 actinics they really show off well, and you can tell from these pictures.
They are like the other dwarf angelfish and may fight with conspecifics and other dwarf angel species. A tank of 30 gallons or larger with lots of live rock for cover and grazing opportunities in between meals will be helpful. The Potter's Angelfish is not considered reef tank safe because it may nip at stony corals, clam mantles and maybe even zoanthids (ref: S. Michaels).
Getting them to eat aquarium foods like pellets or flake foods can be a challenge. Start with thawed or live foods like mysis and brine and wean them onto the other foods you want to feed them. Try giving them nori (seaweed) attached to a veggie clip too. Two or three small feedings per day is recommended.
You can buy them for around $60 to $120 locally or online.
Potter's Angelfish Care
Scientific Name : Centropyge potteri
Common Names : Russet Angelfish, Potter's Angel
Care Level : Moderate - acclimate them slowly to the quarantine tank or display tank
Size : Up to 4 inches (10 cm)
Life span : 5 years, likely longer
Water Parameters: pH : 8.1 - 8.4 | Temperature : 72°F - 80°F (22°C - 27°C) | Specific Gravity : 1.020 - 1.025 | Carbonate Hardness (dKH) : 8 - 12°
Reef Tank Safe? No - might nip at LPS and clam mantles
Origin / Habitat : Hawaiian Islands, Johnston Atoll - lives at depths of 5 to 140 meters among rocky and areas with coral growth.
Temperament / Behavior : These dwarf angels will fight with conspecifics and other dwarf angelfish species.
Breeding : Difficult to breed in captivity. Forms pairs and is an open water egg scatterer.
Aquarium Size : 30 gallon (113 liters) minimum
Tank Mates : Keep them with similar sized fish, nothing too large or aggressive to eat them like larger Lionfish
Fish Disease : Saltwater Fish Disease
Diet / Foods : Give them mostly algae based foods, spirulina, nori, marine algae. Add in mysis shrimp, brine shrimp and other meaty marine origin foods. Needs to eat several times per day and will graze on the live rock in your tank in between feedings.
Tank Region : Middle to bottom
Gender : Don't know of any external differences between males and females.
Forum : Saltwater Angelfish Forum
Photo Credit : Photos copyright JJPhoto.dk
References
Michael, S. W. (2001). Marine Fishes, 500+ Essential to Know Aquarium Species. T.F.H. Publications.
"Centropyge potteri". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. November 2005 version.
Michael, S. W. (2004) Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes. T.F.H. Publications
More Dwarf Saltwater Angelfish Profiles
Bicolor Angelfish
The front half and tail is yellow with the mid-section being a royal or deep blue. They get to about 6 inches (15 cm) when fully grown and can get aggressive with other dwarf angelfish.
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Gets to about 4 inches (10 cm) and their colors can vary depending on where they were collected. Overall it usually has a yellow body with purple vertical stripes and purple or blue fins. They can also get aggressive with tank mates and may nip corals.
Eibli Angelfish
This is one of the bigger (up to 6 inches) of the dwarf anglefish. They can easily get cryptocaryon so a qt is strongly recommended. They sport some awesome colors and markings so if you're looking for pretty dwarf angel this one may be the ticket.