Common Names: Yellowbar Angelfish (Maculosus Angelfish, Map Angelfish, Yellowband Angelfish)
Care Level: Moderately easy
Adult Size: 11.8in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Red Sea and East Africa
Temperament/Behaviour: Slightly aggressive
Compatible Tank mates: Eels, snappers, groupers, Gobies, Blennies, Damselfishes.
Diet: Varied diet, including ample vegetable matter, meaty fare and, occasionally, special angelfish rations containing marine sponges.
Tank Size For Adult: 180gal (681l)
Narrative: Add with caution to the reef aquarium. Will nip at large-polyped stony corals, some soft corals, and tridacnid clam mantles. Can usually be kept with small-polyped stony corals and more-noxious soft corals. A great “first” large angelfish, being bold, beautiful-no two are patterned alike-and the easiest member of the genus to maintain in captivity. Feeds greedily on a wide variety of aquarium fare, and it cannot be trusted with most reef aquarium invertebrates. May behave aggressively toward passive tankmates, fishes introduced after it has been in a tank for some time, or other angelfishes. Only one should be housed per aquarium.
Common Names: Bluegirdled Angelfish (Majestic Angelfish, Navarchus Angelfish) Care Level: Intermediate Adult Size: 11.8in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific Temperament/Behaviour: Slightly aggressive
Compatible Tank mates: Eels, snappers, groupers, Gobies, Blennies, and Damselfishes.
Diet: Varied diet, including Spirulina and marine algae, as well as mysid shrimp or frozen shrimp and high-quality angelfish preparations.
Tank Size For Adult: 180gal (681l)
Narrative: Add with caution to the reef aquarium. Will nip at large-polyped stony corals, some soft corals, and tridacnid clam mantles. Can usually be kept with small-polyped stony corals and more-noxious soft corals. Flamboyant in looks but retiring in personality, this species is not particularly difficult to maintain, but is shy. Juveniles are very reclusive, spending most of their time hiding. Adults are also shy, but will make more forays into the open. Both are easily startled and need one or more “bolt” holes to dart into when frightened. Can become quite aggressive, especially toward related species or similarly shaped fishes introduced after it had become established. Large adults are more difficult to acclimate than juveniles or smaller adults. Has been reported to live more than 21 years in captivity.
Compatible Tank mates: Eels, snappers, groupers, Gobies, Blennies, and Damselfishes.
Diet: Varied diet, including ample vegetable matter, meaty fare and, occasionally, special angelfish rations containing marine sponges.
Tank Size For Adult: 200gal (757l)
Narrative: Not recommended for the reef aquarium. Will eat or nip at most sessile invertebrates. A favourite of the Caribbean divers and snorkelers, this species is a relatively hardy fish that makes a fine display animal in larger aquariums. Like many angelfish species, tiny juveniles typically do not acclimate to captive life or foods. Juveniles are cleaners and will sometimes pester less-mobile species (e.g. boxfishes). Adults become large and will often aggressively dominate their aquarium domain.
Common Names: Koran Angelfish (Semicircular Angelfish, Halfcircled Angelfish
Care Level: Relatively easy
Adult Size: 15.0in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific
Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately Aggressive
Compatible Tank mates: Eels, snappers, groupers, Gobies, Blennies, and Damselfishes.
Diet: Varied diet, including Spirulina and marine algae, as well as mysid shrimp or frozen shrimp and high-quality angelfish preparations.
Tank Size For Adult: 200gal (757l)
Narrative: Not recommended for the reef aquarium. Will nip at sessile invertebrates, including stony and soft corals, and clam mantles. An excellent aquarium fish that is commonly available and often thrives in a well-maintained tank. Eats a wide variety of aquarium fare, including algae-even clime algae or cyanobacteria- growing on the aquarium glass and décor. Juvenile specimens can be very pugnacious and should be the last fish introduced to a tank. Has been reported to live more than 20 years in captivity.
Origin/Habitat: Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific
Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately Aggressive
Compatible Tank mates: Eels, snappers, groupers, Gobies, Blennies, and Damselfishes.
Diet: Varied diet, including Spirulina and marine algae, as well as mysid shrimp or frozen shrimp and high-quality angelfish preparations.
Tank Size For Adult: 240gal (908l)
Narrative: Not recommended for the reef aquarium. Will nip at sessile invertebrates, including stony and soft corals, and clam mantles. This is a relatively hardy aquarium species, but one that grows to a substantial size and requires an extra large tank if it is to be properly maintained. Often seen in pairs in the wild, where it is well known for producing underwater grunting sounds in warning when approached by divers. Alert aquarists may notice these sounds when keeping this and other large angelfishes. Has been reported to live over 21 years in captivity. Provide this species with appropriate hiding places in which it can dart when startled.
Compatible Tank mates: Surgeonfishes, Gobies, Blennies, and Damselfishes.
Diet: Varied diet, including Spirulina and marine algae, as well as mysid shrimp or frozen shrimp and high-quality angelfish preparations.
Tank Size For Adult: 200gal (757l) Narrative: Not recommended for the reef aquarium. Will nip at sessile invertebrates, including stony and soft corals, and clam mantles. This is a gorgeous fish for more experienced aquarists. This moderately hardy species should be provided with plenty of swimming space, as well as a number of suitable hiding places. Often shy initially, but if not bullied by other tankmates or in a high-traffic area, it will become bolder. Does not tend to be as aggressive as some of its relatives, but may chase close relatives. Its reputation for being a poor survivor may be a carryover from the days of heavy cyanide by certain collectors. Beware of specimens that are dazed, uninterested in food or their surroundings, or that show signs of wasting.
Compatible Tank mates: Surgeonfishes, Gobies, Blennies, and Damselfishes.
Diet: Sponges are its natural diet, but it can be switched to aquarium foods. Offer both meaty and algae based foods, as well as occasional feedings of special angelfish rations that contain marine sponges.
Tank Size For Adult: 240gal (908l)
Narrative: Not recommended for the reef aquarium. May nip at various corals and anemones and will eat sponges and tunicates. This native of the far eastern Pacific appears only sporadically in the aquarium trade. The small juveniles are highly sought after because of their colouration, but they mature into rather drab adults. Keep only one per tank. Juveniles tend to be territorial and should not be housed with other Pomacanthus spp. juveniles, especially young P. arcuatus or P. paru angelfishes, which a re sim8ilar in colour. Juveniles may engage in cleaning behaviour.
Common Names: Regal Angelfish Care Level: Difficult Adult Size: 9.8in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific
Temperament/Behaviour: Slightly aggressive
Compatible Tank mates: Eels, snappers, groupers, Gobies, Blennies, Damselfishes.
Diet: Individuals vary in their willingness to accept captive fare. Offer chopped fresh shrimp, squid, scallop, or marine fish flesh, as well as frozen, prepared foods for angelfishes and herbivores.
Tank Size For Adult: 135gal (511l)
Narrative: Add with caution to the reef aquarium. Will nip at large-polyped stony corals, some soft corals and tridacnid clam mantles. Can usually be kept with small-polyped stony corals and more-noxious soft corals. A glorious fish whose hardiness is somewhat dependent on collection site. Indian Ocean and Red Sea specimens (with an orange rather than blue “chest”) are more likely to adapt to captivity than those from the pacific-perhaps owing to better collection and handling methods. Provide with plenty of good hiding places. Make sure it is fully acclimated before mixing with aggressive tankmates. Keep singly, unless in a mated pair.
Common Names: Threadfin Butterfly fish (Auriga Butterflyfish) Care Level: Moderately easy Adult Size: 9.0in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific
Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately aggressive
Compatible Tank mates: Cardinalfish, Rabbitfish, Dwarf Wrasses, Anemonefish, Firefish. Diet: Varied diet, including marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, and frozen preparations.
Tank Size For Adult: 100gal (379l)
Narrative: Not recommended for the reef aquarium. Will eat a wide variety of corals and desirable invertebrates. This is a bold, attractive species and one of the best Butterflyfishes for the home aquarium. It will accept a wide variety of aquarium foods, but should be provided with a varied diet. It is one of the more-aggressive members of the family, often chasing conspecifics and species with similar colour patterns. To keep more than one, add them to a larger tank simultaneously. Does very well with live rock aquascaping, but is not safe with corals. Although it can be employed to clean live rock of Aiptasia spp. or glass anemones, it will also feed on some of the more-desirable invertebrates living on the rock, such as fanworms.
Common Names: Burgess’ Butterflyfish Care Level: Moderately easy Adult Size: 5.5in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Western pacific
Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful
Compatible Tank mates: Cardinalfish, Rabbitfish, Dwarf Wrasses, Anemonefish, Firefish. Diet: Varied diet, including marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, and frozen preparations.
Tank Size For Adult: 75gal (284l)
Narrative: Add to a reef aquarium with caution. Can be kept with mushroom anemones and certain soft corals (e.g. Litophyton spp., Cladiella spp.), and possibly with small-polyped stony corals. Large-polyped varieties are susceptible to being picked on, and tubeworms will be eaten. Great for ridding a tank of Aiptasia spp. anemones. A prized deep-water species, this is actually one of the more-durable Butterflyfishes, well suited to the home aquarium. It will feed on most captive fare, including flake foods, but should be provided with a varied, enriched diet to ensure good health and colour fidelity. Not aggressive toward other fishes, and more than one individual can be housed in the same aquarium. Because it is accustomed to deep-water conditions, it is best housed in a dimly lit tank.
