The false shepard hybrid angelfish is a unique Centropyge that occurs with some regularity near ornamental marine fish collection sites in the Phillipines. Less than two years ago when the false shepard hybrid angelfish first started becoming available it was initially identified as a true Mango angelfish, Centropyge shepardi. At IMAC West 2009 John Coppolino pointed out that a similar Centropyge specimen in the Quality Marine display tank was actually a documented hybrid between the flame and rusty pygmy angelfish species.
While in England prior to the InterZoo conference we spotted this fine large example of the false shepardi hybrid angelfish at Taunton Aquarium Centre in Somerset, UK. The appearance of the Rusty Flame pygmy angelfish can vary from evenly distributed between the flame and rusty angelfishes, or it can take on a closer appearance to one of either parents.
Interestingly, LiveAquaria currently has two specimens of False Shepardi angelfish for sale; one which looks more like a rusty angelfish and the other which is more like a flame angelfish. We have more pictures of the British false shepardi angelfish after the break as well as a video of the gorgeous one that Quality Marine displayed last year.
