Angelfishes (45)

General descriptionAmongst aquarium reef-fishes, few could compete with the beauty of angelfishes. Many species remain small in size, and combined with their beauty, and often rarity, are sought after in the aquarium trade.

Angelfishes belong in the "Order Perciformes" and are members of the "Family Pomacanthidae" which contains about 45 species. All angelfishes are thought to be protogynous hermaphrodites where females change to males. They are mostly solitary swimmers, prefer shallower water in th [Further read]e range of 2 - 20 m, however, a few species occur in deep water, i.e., about 50 m.

Angels experience dramatic color and pattern changes from juvenile to adult stage. Most are territorial and spend much of their time in search of food and feed upon algae, sponges, tunicates, and various other benthic items. The Angelfishes can be broken down into three different feeding groups. i.e. Zooplankton- , sessile invertebrate- , and algae and detritus feeders.

The behavior of Angelfishes considered to be very territorial and aggressive fish, it is not unusual for many members of the Pomacanthidae family to fight with species of their own kind and sex, and often with other related and non-related species that are similar in shape, color, and size. However, there are various degrees in aggressive behavior, and therefore not all Angels are necessarily bullies.

How any one Angelfish will behave in an aquarium typically relates to what other fishes they are kept with, and choosing the right tank mate community for the species you have is important.

Because Angelfishes diets consist primarily of algae of some variety and small crustaceous or zooplankton, and even though some species may adapt rather well to captivity in aquariums, these fish in our opinion are not suitable for beginners, or for placing in a newly started aquarium.

Apolemichthys(7), Chaetodontoplus(10), Genicanthus(7), Holacanthus(7), Pomacanthus(13), Pygoplites(1)

Apolemichthys (7)

A. arcuatus