Info
Paracentropyge venusta is very shy in general and one of the rare species in our home aquarium. Usually found in caves and deep reef slopes, Paracentropyge venusta needs to be acclimated to bright lights of our home aquarium in the same way many deep water anthias are. Paracentropyge venusta requires open rock structure with caves and overhangs in our tanks. It was previously classified as Holacanthus venustus, Paracentropyge venusta and recently to Sumireyakko venustus. The beautiful bright yellow body with the purplish/blue triangular patch over the eye and saddle across the back make this fish an unusual addition bound to attract the eye and conversation in any home aquarium. They rarely pick at stony or soft corals but have been known to pick at clam mantles. Smaller individuals will be model citizens leaving most fish and even other dwarf Angelfish alone. Adults can become belligerent and aggressive toward any tank mates that may share similar coloration or shape.
Paracentropyge venusta is very selective in his diet. In the wild it naturally eats sponge material but can be taught to consume frozen and prepared foods with time and patience and careful acclimation to aquarium life. Because it is a shy fish initially, special care needs to be taken to properly teach this fish to accept strange new foods. It is suggested to feed a mixture of Angelfish Formula that contains sponge matter as well as frozen mysis shrimp and spirulina to begin with.
Synonyms:
Centropyge venustus (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969)
Holacanthus venustus Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969
Paracentropyge venusta (Yasuda &Tominaga, 1969)
Sumireyakko venustus (Yasuda & Tominaga, 1969)
Classification: Biota > Animalia (Kingdom) > Chordata (Phylum) > Vertebrata (Subphylum) > Gnathostomata (Superclass) > Pisces (Superclass) > Actinopterygii (Class) > Perciformes (Order) > Pomacanthidae (Family) > Centropyge (Genus)