Marine Angelfish

Saltwater Angelfish Guides

Queen AngelfishPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

Saltwater Angelfish are truly an aquarist's inspiration, few fish rival their beauty and majesty!

Marine Angelfish are remarkable creatures and some of the most alluring of all fish. They have an elegant form, graceful movement, and often display beautiful vibrant colors. Their bodies are compressed laterally, a flat disc-like form that allows them to slip between rocky outcroppings and reef crevices. They come in all shapes and sizes, and although they can be very showy, their coloration actually helps them blend with the patterns and shadows of the reef.

Saltwater angelfish vary considerably in their care requirements, and with wild caught specimens, acclimating them to the aquarium can be a challenge. Yet once established they are relatively hardy, making these exquisite specimens highly desirable. Angelfish do tend to become very territorial as they mature, so it is generally recommended to keep only a single specimen.

Many feed only on sponge and tunicate, and adult specimens may become destructive to a reef. There are prepared angel formulas containing sponge, but it can often be difficult to get an angel to accept new foods. However once an angelfish is feeding it can live for many years. An example is the aquarium in Nancy, France, which has successfully kept several specimens of saltwater angelfish for over 20 years.

The list of saltwater angelfish below include many aquarium fish species. Each fish guide has in-depth angelfish information about their places of origin, habitats and behaviors as well as the fish care needed for successfully keeping angelfish aquariums. Angelfish pictures are also provided within each fish guide to help with saltwater fish identification, and aid in choosing pet fish.

For setting up a saltwater aquarium, see:
Marine Aquarium Basics: Guide to a Healthy Saltwater Aquarium

Genus: Apolemichthys

Flagfin Angelfish

Apolemichthys trimaculatus

Goldflake Angelfish

Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus

Griffis Angelfish

Apolemichthys griffisi

Indian Yellowtail Angelfish

Apolemichthys xanthurus

Genus: Centropyge

Bicolor Angelfish

Centropyge bicolor

Colin's Angelfish

Centropyge colini

Coral Beauty Angel

Centropyge bispinosa

Eibli's Angelfish

Centropyge eibli

Flame Angel

Centropyge loricula

Golden Angelfish

Centropyge aurantia

Herald's Angelfish

Centropyge heraldi

Keyhole Angelfish

Centropyge tibicen

Lemonpeel Angel

Centropyge flavissima

Multicolor Angelfish

Centropyge multicolor

Potter's Pygmy Angelfish

Centropyge potteri

Pygmy Angelfish

Centropyge argi

Rusty Angelfish

Centropyge ferrugata

Shepard's Pygmy Angel

Centropyge shepardi

Yellowhead Angelfish

Centropyge joculator

Genus: Chaetodontoplus

Black Velvet Angelfish

Chaetodontoplus melanosoma

Blue-striped Angelfish

Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis

Scribbled Angelfish

Chaetodontoplus duboulayi

Vermiculated Angelfish

Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus

Genus: Genicanthus

Lamarck's Angelfish

Genicanthus lamarck

Genus: Holacanthus

Blue Angelfish

Holacanthus bermudensis

King Angelfish

Holacanthus passer

Queen Angelfish

Holacanthus ciliaris

Rock Beauty Angelfish

Holacanthus tricolor

Genus: Pomacanthus

Arabian Angelfish

Pomacanthus asfur

Blue Ring Angelfish

Pomacanthus annularis

Blue-faced Angelfish

Pomacanthus xanthometopon

Blue-girdled Angelfish

Pomacanthus navarchus

Emperor Angelfish

Pomacanthus imperator

French Angelfish

Pomacanthus paru

Koran Angelfish

Pomacanthus semicirculatus

Red Sea Angelfish

Pomacanthus maculosus

Genus: Pygoplites

Regal Angelfish

Pygoplites diacanthus

About Saltwater Angelfish

Saltwater Angelfish are found on shallow reefs in the tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Western Pacific Oceans. The majority of the angelfish species are found in the Western Pacific, only nine species are found in the Atlantic and as few as four in the Eastern Pacific/Indian Ocean areas. The family Pomacanthidae, angelfishes, consists of 9 genera containing approximately 87 species of saltwater angelfish. They are distinguished from the similarly shaped butterflyfish by strong preopercle spines found on each of the lower gill covers of the angelfish.

For the most part, marine angelfish dwell among shallow reefs. They are diurnal, moving about and feeding during the daytime, and at night seeking refuge among crevices in the reef and rocky outcroppings. Many are solitary, but some are found in pairs, or living in small groups or harems consisting of a dominant male and several females. These fish are pelagic spawners. They release many tiny eggs into the planktonic water column where they float with the currents until they hatch.

Saltwater angelfish are very colorful and come in many sizes. As juveniles they can have a different coloration than they do as adults. These fishes are also protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they begin their life cycle as females with dominant specimens turning male. Males can also revert back to female if the social status changes. Many of the adult angelfish become territorial as they grow older and it is thought that perhaps the different coloration among the younger fish keep them from being the target of the older fish's aggression. Another interesting tidbit, some angels are also known to perform cleaner fish duties as juveniles.

Size wise, angelfish range from about 4 inches (10 cm) to 24 inches (60 cm) in the wild. The smallest species, those known as the Dwarf Angel or Pygmy Angel, only reach up to about 6" (15 cm). Other species are medium sized to quite large, with the largest angelfish reaching about 24" (60 cm). Marine angels all have small mouths and tail fins that are crescent-shaped, or lunate. Many angels have decorative streamers that extend from the outer tips of the tail fin and the dorsal fin.

Saltwater angelfish are very similar to the equally showy butterflyfishes. But angels are distinguished by their strong preopercle spines found on each of the lower gill covers, which are lacking on the butterflyfish. They are members of the Pomacanthidae family, a descriptive name for these preopercle-spine fish derived from the Greeks, with "Poma" meaning cover and "akantha" meaning thorn.

Saltwater Angelfish Species

Angelfish are members of the Perciformes Order, the perch-like, Ray-finned or Bony Fishes. This order of fishes originated more than 65 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period, also a time of the dinosaurs. Perciformes are comprised of more than 7000 species of fish with about 155 families. The Saltwater Angelfish belong under the Pomacanthidae Family, which consists of 9 genera containing approximately 87 saltwater angelfish species.

Current saltwater angelfish classification:

• Phylum: Chordata
• Subphylum: Vertebrata
• Class: Actinopterygii = Osteichthyes (Ray-Finned or Bony Fishes)
• Order: Perciformes (Perch-Like fishes)
• Suborder: Percoidei
• Family: Pomacanthidae (Angelfishes)
• Genera:
  • Apolemichthys - 8 species
  • Centropyge - 32 species
  • Chaetodontoplus - 14 species
  • Genicanthus - 9 species
  • Holacanthus - 8 species (9 species if you include H. isabelita as valid)
  • Paracentropyge - monotypic
  • Pomacanthus - 13 species
  • Pygoplites - monotypic
  • Sumireyakko - monotypic

Angelfish Aquariums

Saltwater angelfish are prized for their unique shape and exotic colors. They are also favored for their intelligent behavior, seeming to recognize their owner. Yet successfully keeping angelfish aquariums depends on a number of factors. It's important to select the right angelfish for your particular tank size and set-up, and provide the right foods for that particular species. Many angelfish are not considered reef safe. Tank mates must also be compatible.

Angelfish are grazers, constantly looking for food. Depending on the species, some will snack on micro and filamentous algae, and some will nibble on macro algae. They are best introduced into an established saltwater aquarium, and one with good algae growth. Live rock housing small crustaceans is also beneficial.

Angelfish must be willing to accept new foods in their diet in order to survive in an aquarium and are therefore considered difficult to keep. Feeding a large variety of foods is important in order to entice them into eating. Once feeding is accomplished, they can survive for long periods of time in captivity.

Most angelfish, except the Pygmies (Centropyge) are sponge and tunicate eaters. This makes them hard to acclimate since these foods are generally not included in prepared fish foods. Several sponge-based frozen foods are now available and should be fed to certain angelfish especially those of the genus Holocanthus.

Angelfish Habitat

The smaller angelfish species are popular with many aquarists because they require less space and are relatively hardy. Many of the smaller angels (Centropyge) can be housed in a reef but may become destructive with age. Larger angelfish, on the other hand can provide a very impressive showcase but require a much larger tank, and many are very territorial and aggressive fish.

• Small Species: Aquarium Size: 20 - 55 gallons
  Centropyge - The Dwarf/Pygmy Angelfish, rarely get to be over 10 cm. (4 inches) but are very beautiful and adapt well to aquarium life. In the wild they eat mostly algae.
  Paracentropyge
  Sumireyakko
   
• Medium Species: Aquarium Size: 55 - 100 gallons:
  Apolemichthys - In the wild these angels eat mostly sponges and tunicates. Plankton eaters.
  Chaetodontoplus - In the wild these angels eat mostly sponges and tunicates (sea squirts).
  Genicanthus
  Pygoplites
   
• Large Species: Aquarium Size: 100 - 300 gallons
  Holacanthus - The King and Queen angelfish are the best known examples of this genus, they generally eat sponges and therefore are more difficult to keep healthy in an aquarium.
  Pomacanthus - In the wild these angels eat mostly sponges and tunicates. Plankton eaters.

Angelfish Compatibility

Saltwater Angelfish are territorial and can be very aggressive fish. These fish will quarrel with their own species, and most often will not tolerate any other species. There are different levels of aggression, depending on the species, but it is generally it is best to keep just a single specimen. When combining different types of fish, try adding the angelfish last. Introducing new fish to an established community can cause territorial disputes.

• Small Dwarf Angel or Pygmy Angels, Centropyge species, can do well in a community fish tank with other non-aggressive fish. Some of the medium sized angels, like those from the Chaetodontoplus and Genicanthus genera, and a few others mid-sized species are also suited to a community setting. Tank mates that do well with these marine angels include Butterflyfish, Anthias, Gobies and Blennies, and similar non-related species.
   
• Larger saltwater angelfish, notable those from the Holacanthus and Pomacanthus genera, are territorial and more aggressive. They should be housed with other fish that also have a more aggressive temperament. Damsels, Triggerfish, Hawkfish, Tangs, Groupers and Eels can make good companions.

Mixing different species of angelfish almost never works. There are a few exceptions, but only in a large aquarium. Some that can be housed as pairs or perhaps a small harem include:

• Lemonpeel Angelfish Centropyge flavissimus
• Cherub Angelfish Centropyge argi
• Blackspot Angelfish Genicanthus melanospilos
• Herald's Angelfish Centropye heraldi
• Bicolor Angelfish Centropyge bicolor