Angelfish

Bold in color and behavior, the angelfishes (Family Pomacanthidae) have always been a favorite among marine aquarium fish enthusiasts. Provided that it has a varied, high-quality diet (whole meaty frozen items, live macroalgae, etc.) and has enough living space, an angelfish can live a long, happy life in captivity.

The pomacanthids are divided into seven genera and approximately 86 species. They are pretty much exclusively a tropical/subtropical, shallow-water group. They are all pelagic spawners. Aside from that, there is considerable morphological, physiological and behavioral variation within the family. Pomacanthus feeds largely on sponges and macroalgae, whereas Centropyge grazes on filamentous algae and Genicanthus is mainly a zooplanktivore. There may be considerable differences of color/pattern between males and females or juveniles and adults. Their social organization varies from monogamy, promiscuity or harems. Angelfish species that form haremic social systems are protogynous hermaphrodites.

Due to their pelagic spawning behavior and the difficulty of rearing their tiny larvae, angelfishes have only recently begun to be raised in captivity. Given the family’s generally great attributes as aquarium fish, and the better adaptability/disease resistance of cultured specimens, we will likely see many more farmed angelfish in the trade as time goes on!

In this section you will learn which angelfish species are commonly encountered in the aquarium trade, which of these are available as captive bred and how to best care for each.