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Saltwater Aquarium Angelfish
Angelfish can be distinguished from butterfly fish by their protractile mouth and the presence of a spine at the base of the operculum. They are good swimmers and live alone or in small groups, close to shelters such as caves and coral overhangs.
As angelfish are highly territorial, they react badly to other members of their own species. The coloring of the juveniles gradually changes when they reach 8-10 cm (though this is not a general rule), and turns into that of the adults.
Juveniles adapt more easily to captivity, but only one angelfish can be kept in a 500 liter tank. Their diet should consist of brine shrimps, mussels, and shrimps, along with cooked and chopped vegetable material.
Singapore Angelfish (Chaetodonplus Mesoleucus)
The Singapore Angelfish resembles a Chaetodon; the young are very similar to the adults. It is relatively easy to acclimatize if it is first fed live prey; it will then go on to accept artificial food. Size: 17 cm. |
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Black Velvet Angelfish
(Chaetodonplus Melanosoma)
The Black Velvet Angelfish respects other species but chases members of its own species off its territory. It is shy, a good swimmer, and reckoned to be hardy. It devours large prey (nereis, also known as rag worms), but also eats tubifex worms and brine shrimps, as well as grazing on algae. Its skin is very sensitive to parasites. Size: 18 cm.
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Young Blueface Angelfish
(Euxiphipops Xanthometopon)
Young Blueface Angelfish acclimatize more easily and can adopt a "cleaning" role with other fish. The adults, territorial and fearful, prefer small items of food, with some vegetable material. Size: 30-40 cm. |
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Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus Ciliaris)
Even The Juvenile Queen Angelfish are territorial, which can cause cohabitation problems. They are easy to acclimatize, but demanding as regards the quality of the water. Their diet comprises brine shrimp, sponges, algae, and mussels. Size: 20 cm. |
Rock Beauty Angelfish
(Holacanthus Tricolor)
The black patch on the juveniles of The Rock Beauty Angelfish enlarges as they grow, until, by the time they are adults, it covers their entire body. Famous for being difficult to acclimatize, they feed on algae, brine shrimps, and small pieces of fish. Size: 15 cm. |
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Annularis Angelfish (Pomacanthus Annularis)
Adult Annularis Angelfish can grow to 30 cm. Their acclimatization is more difficult than that of younger fish, below 7 or 8 cm, which adapt to captivity better. These fish graze on the algae in the decor but also appreciate meat dishes: reddish food seems to attract them, so it is worth trying to make them a "pate" in this color. |
African Angelfish (Pomacanthus Chrysurus)
The African Angelfish is rarely seen in aquariums. It needs vegetable components in its diet. When it is young, its yellow-orange tail distinguishes it from the queen angelfish. Size: 20 cm. |
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Majestic Angelfish (Euxiphipops Navarchus)
Somewhat shy, the Majestic Angelfish likes to have hiding places. This does not prevent it from being an assiduous grazer of the decor's algae, although it does also accept small prey. Size: 20 cm. |
Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus Imperator)
This is one of the most beautiful of all the angelfish. However, the territoriality of The Emperor Angelfish can make it aggressive towards other occupants of the tank. The juveniles display several white circles against a blue background. This fish eats raw or cooked mussels, nereis, tubifex worms, fish flesh, shrimps, lettuce, and plenty of filamentous algae. Size: 20 cm. |
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Purple Moon Angelfish
(Pomacanthus Maculosus)
In its natural environment, The Purple Moon fish feeds on sponges and coral, so these should be avoided in its aquarium. In captivity it can adjust to eating small, live prey, and can then move on to commercial food. Size: 30 cm. |
Angelfish Juveniles Coloring:
How To Avoid Being Taken For An Intruder
The coloring of angelfish juveniles (usually consisting of lines) is markedly different from that of adults. This enables them to avoid being considered as intruders on their own patch, as the adults rebuff fish of the same species, or those with similar coloring, in order to defend their territory and its resources: food and shelters. Both juveniles and adults share the same goal: to survive and perpetuate the species.
French Angelfish (Pomacanthus Paru)
Active by day and night, the French Angelfish will eat brine shrimps and mussels, and can sometimes be tamed. The adult resembles that of the Pomacanthus arcuatus (gray angelfish), but the ends of its scales glow with luminous yellow dots. The young of both species can similarly be confused; they are markedly different from the adults, with curved yellow stripes against a black background. Size: 25 cm. |
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Raccoon Angelfish (Pomacanthus Semicirculatus)
The young have a dark blue body set off by fine white lines curving towards the rear. The territorial Raccoon Angelfish leaves its shelter to eat nereis, raw or scalded mussels, shrimps, pieces of fish, and tubifex worms, as well as algae, lettuce, and riccia.
Size: 40 cm. |
Japanese Swallow Angelfish (Genicanthus Caudovittatus)
The Japanese swallow can be distinguished from the G. lamarck by its vertical stripes. Shy, but often on the move, it eats the same as the G. lamarck: prey small enough to fit into its mouth. Size: 20 cm. |
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Lamarck Angelfish (Genicanthus Lamarck)
The male has a yellow patch on the underbelly and its pelvic fins are black. The Lamarck Angelfish is sociable, despite its shyness; it lives in small groups and tolerates other angelfish. Size: 20 cm. |
Flagfin Angelfish
(Apolemichthys Trimaculatus)
The spine characterizing this family is blue, as is the mouth, and both stand out against the yellow background. The black patch on the caudal fin of the young disappears in adults. The Flagfin Angelfish appreciates a vegetable component in its diet. It is a vigorous swimmer which needs a large tank. Size: 25 cm. |
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Gray Poma Angelfish (Apolemichthys Xanthurus)
An easy species to keep, The Gray Poma Angelfish nibbles at algae, but it also eats mussels, shrimps, and brine shrimps. Size: 10-13 cm. |
Asfur Angelfish (Arusetta Asfur)
The Asfur Angel is an active swimmer, but likes hiding among rocks. It feeds on mussels, lettuce, and animal foodstuffs. Sometimes confused with Pomacanthus maculosus, it can be distinguished by its yellow caudal fin, and the patch on its sides, also yellow, is further forward. It grows very slowly in an aquarium. Size: 20 cm. |
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Regal Angelfish (Pygoplites Diacanthus)
Somewhat unassuming, The Regal Angelfish loves to take shelter in nooks and crannies. In the wild it feeds on sponges; in an aquarium, it must be supplied with small food items: brine shrimps, mussels, and chopped shrimps. Size: 25 cm. |
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