Lamarck's Angelfish

[edit] Overview

This sleek, elegant fish is a member of an unusual angelfish genus that spends more time swimming high in the water column feeding on zooplankton than most others in the family. Because of its alternative lifestyle, it looks very different than its more robust kin.

[edit] Feeding

Carnivore; plankton feeder. Offer meaty foods like frozen mysid shrimp and enriched brine shrimp at least three times a day.

[edit] Aquarium Compatibility

They are one of the least aggressive angelfishes, although adults may pummel small zooplankton feeders such as fairy wrasses, flasher wrasses, dartfishes and ­firefishes. It is one of the best angelfishes for a reef tank, but may occasionally nip xeniid and large-polyped stony corals.

[edit] Breeding/Propagation

Egg scatterers that produce pelagic eggs, often in midwater mating rituals. Both eggs and larvae that drift with plankton in the water column and settle back onto a reef at about the time of metamorphosis. These are among the most challenging types of marine fishes to propagate in captivity.

[edit] Notes

This species forms harems in the wild and can be kept in pairs or in trios (one male and two females). Males have jet-black pelvic fins; the females’ are white, making it easy to select a male and female to keep together. If you keep more than one, be sure the tank is large enough—at least 135 gallons—to provide adequate swimming space.

Category: Species