Blueface Angelfish
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Makes a grunting sound when upset. Scott W. Michael
[edit] Overview
The Blueface Angelfish is a vividly colorful fish, moderately hardy and recommended only to experienced aquarist and those with an adequately large system. It requires plenty of swimming space and numerous caves and hiding places in large aquarium.
It is often shy initially, but if not bullied by tankmates or kept in high-traffic area it will become a bolder, more showy member of the aquarium community.
Family: Pomacanthidae
Other common name(s):
- Yellowface Angelfish
Native range:
Habitat: The Blueface Angelfish is found in coral-rich habitats, on fringing reefs, on lagoon patch reefs, in channels, and on outer-reef faces and slopes. In the aquarium, it must have live rock structure offering bolt holes and hiding places that offer a sense of security.
Maximum length: 38 cm (15 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 513 L (136 gal)
Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
General swimming level: All levels.
[edit] Feeding
Adults in the wild feed heavily on sponges and tunicates. Live enriched adult brine shrimp, Tubifex worms, and Mysis shrimp can be used to get a new specimen to start feeding. Offer a varied diet with sponge-containing marine angelfish rations.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
Less aggressive than many other large angelfishes, but it may pick on smaller angelfishes or more docile tankmates, especially in crowded quarters. Not a reef-save fish, it may graze on mushroom polyps, sea anemones, and Tridacna spp. clams. It may be kept with some unappetizing soft corals, such as Sinularia and Cladiella, and with small-polyp stony corals, although most angelfishes will occasionally nip at anything resembling a tempting polyp.
[edit] Breeding/Propagation
Pelagic spawner with pelagic eggs and larvae.
[edit] Notes
Has been reported to live more than 21 years in the aquarium, and adults will make a grunting sound when upset.
| Common name | Blueface Angelfish +, and Yellowface Angelfish + |
| Family | Pomacanthidae + |
| Genus | Pomacanthus + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Maximum length | 15 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 136 gal + |
| Native range | Indo-Pacific +, Maldives +, Vanuatu +, Caroline Islands +, Ryukyu Islands +, and Australia + |
| Reference | Reef Fishes Volume 3 + |
| Specific name | xanthometopon + |
| Swimming level | All levels. + |
| Text credit | SWM + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |