Species Category: Angelfish

The Lamarck’s Angelfish (Genicanthus lamarck) is a graceful, reef-safe swallowtail angel prized for its bold black striping, silver-white body, and striking sexual dimorphism—males develop longer tail streamers and deeper markings, while females keep a refined, understated look. A mid-water cruiser by nature, it spends most of its time in open water above the rockwork, adding constant motion without harassing corals.

The Koran Angelfish (Pomacanthus semicirculatus), also called the Semicircle Angel, is a dramatic showpiece known for its stunning transformation from juvenile to adult. Young fish display bold electric-blue rings; adults develop a rich green-gold body with blue edging and a distinctive “semicircle” pattern on the tail. Expect a confident, semi-aggressive personality best suited to large, mature systems with plenty of live rock for grazing and hideaways. This species reaches up to ~15″ and thrives long-term in 180–220+ gallon aquariums. Offer a varied omnivorous diet with angelfish formulas that include marine sponge, plus mysis, chopped seafood, nori, and high-quality pellets. Not reef safe—may nip LPS, zoanthids, and clam mantles—so it’s ideal for FOWLR or carefully curated displays.

The Eibli Angelfish, also known as the Blacktail Pygmy Angelfish, is a hardy and visually distinctive dwarf angelfish admired for its earthy coloration and bold contrast. Its adaptability and resilience make it one of the more approachable dwarf angelfish for hobbyists seeking personality and movement without extreme care demands. Eibli Angelfish reaches an adult size of approximately 4–5 inches, making it slightly larger than some other Centropyge species. Its body displays a tan to brownish base color with fine horizontal striping, accented by a pale face and a distinct black caudal (tail) fin, which gives the fish its common name. Subtle blue edging along the fins becomes more noticeable under reef lighting, adding understated elegance rather than flashy coloration.

The Golden Angelfish, also known as the Golden Pygmy Angelfish, is one of the most striking and sought-after dwarf angelfish available in the saltwater aquarium hobby. With its intense golden-yellow to deep orange coloration accented by subtle vertical striping and electric blue edging along the fins, this species offers a bold splash of color that immediately draws the eye. Golden Angelfish are compact yet visually powerful fish, reaching a maximum adult size of around 4 inches. Their bodies are laterally compressed, giving them an elegant, streamlined profile ideal for navigating tight reef crevices. The base coloration ranges from bright gold to rich amber, often with faint vertical barring that becomes more pronounced under strong lighting. Iridescent blue highlights along the dorsal and anal fins add contrast and depth, making this species especially vivid under reef lighting.

The Shepard’s Angelfish (Centropyge shepardi) is a rare and captivating dwarf angelfish species known for its warm orange coloration blended with violet to bluish hues along the fins and upper body. This species is less commonly seen in the trade, making it a prized addition for collectors.

Peaceful when young, it can become territorial toward other dwarf angelfish as it matures. Its compact size and striking color make it an ideal showpiece for established reef systems — provided coral compatibility is monitored.

The Townsend Angelfish is a stunning and rare hybrid, naturally occurring where the ranges of the French and Gray Angelfish overlap in the Western Atlantic. Combining the best features of both parent species, it displays a striking mix of iridescent blue highlights, golden edges, and a smoky gray body that deepens in color as it matures. Juveniles often feature the vibrant yellow and blue striping of the French Angelfish before gradually transitioning to their elegant adult form.

This angel is highly intelligent and often becomes the centerpiece of a large display tank. It’s known for its inquisitive, bold behavior—frequently inspecting rockwork and interacting with its keeper. Townsend Angels are grazers, spending much of their time picking at live rock for sponges and algae, so they require a mature tank with plenty of established rock and open swimming space.

While stunning, this species can be territorial, especially toward other large angelfish. It’s best suited for a fish-only system or a FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) setup, as it may nip at corals and sessile invertebrates. Provide a diet rich in marine algae, sponge-based foods, and meaty fare to maintain vibrant coloration and long-term health.

The Blueface Angelfish (Pomacanthus xanthometopon) is a true showstopper—saturated cobalt body with a fine maze pattern, canary-yellow tail, and that iconic sapphire-and-gold “mask.” Juveniles display bold, circular bands that transition into the intricate adult lattice as they mature, so you’ll enjoy a dramatic color journey over time.

The Six Bar Angelfish, *Pomacanthus sexstriatus*, is a stunning and large angelfish species native to the Indo-Pacific region. Its striking pattern features six prominent vertical bars across its body, transitioning from a vibrant blue to a deep black as the fish matures. The tail fin is typically a bright yellow, adding a splash of color to its impressive appearance.

A minimum tank size of 250 gallons is recommended for a single Six Bar Angelfish due to its potential size and active nature. Larger tanks are highly preferred, especially if considering keeping them with other large fish. They are considered an intermediate level fish for experienced aquarists, requiring stable water parameters and a well-established aquarium. While generally peaceful towards tankmates of similar size, they can be territorial towards other angelfish.

In the aquarium, the Six Bar Angelfish will thrive on a varied diet consisting of high-quality marine angelfish preparations, spirulina, mysis shrimp, and other meaty foods. Offering a diverse diet will help maintain their vibrant colors and overall health. They can reach a maximum size of around 18 inches in captivity. Like many angelfish, they are prone to nipping at stony and soft corals, making them a better choice for a fish-only or FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) aquarium.

The Rock Beauty Angelfish, *Holacanthus tricolor*, is a stunning and iconic species from the Western Atlantic. Its vibrant coloration features a striking contrast of bright yellow on the head and tail, separated by a large, velvety black patch covering the body. This bold pattern makes it an eye-catching addition to any marine aquarium.

A minimum tank size of 75 gallons is recommended for a single Rock Beauty Angelfish, with larger tanks preferred for adults or if keeping with other fish. They are considered to have an intermediate care level, requiring stable water parameters and a varied diet. While generally peaceful, they can become territorial, especially towards other angelfish or similarly shaped fish. Providing ample live rock with plenty of hiding places is essential for their well-being.

In the aquarium, the Rock Beauty Angelfish will readily accept a varied diet of high-quality marine flake food, pellet food, frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and marine algae. Offering a diverse diet is crucial for their health and to prevent them from nipping at corals or invertebrates, although they are generally considered less prone to this behavior than some other angelfish species. They typically reach a maximum size of around 10 inches in captivity.

The Cream Angelfish, *Apolemichthys xanthurus*, is a beautiful and relatively hardy angelfish species that adds a touch of elegance to the marine aquarium. Its body is primarily a creamy white to light yellow color, often with a darker margin along the dorsal and anal fins. A distinctive feature is its bright yellow tail, which provides a striking contrast to its body color.

A minimum tank size of 100 gallons is recommended for the Cream Angelfish to provide ample swimming space and stable water parameters. They are found in the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting rocky reefs and lagoons. While considered intermediate in care level, they are generally more adaptable than some of their larger angelfish cousins. They can be kept with a variety of other non-aggressive marine fish, but caution should be exercised when housing them with other angelfish, especially those of similar size or appearance.

In the aquarium, the Cream Angelfish will accept a varied diet of high-quality marine flake food, pellet food, frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and angelfish-specific preparations containing sponge material. Offering a diverse diet is crucial for their long-term health and vibrant coloration. They typically reach a maximum size of around 6 inches in captivity. Like many angelfish, they can be prone to nipping at corals, particularly LPS and soft corals, so they are best suited for a fish-only or FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) aquarium.

The Maculosus Angelfish, *Centropyge maculosus*, is a vibrant and eye-catching dwarf angelfish species native to the Indo-Pacific region. Its striking coloration typically features a bright yellow body with a large, irregular blue or purple blotch on its side, giving it a distinctive appearance.

A minimum tank size of 125 gallons is recommended for the Maculosus Angelfish due to its active nature and need for ample swimming space and rockwork for hiding and grazing. While generally considered an intermediate-level fish for the home aquarium, it requires stable water parameters and a well-established tank. They can be kept with a variety of other non-aggressive marine fish, but caution should be exercised when housing them with other dwarf angelfish, as territorial disputes can occur.

In the aquarium, the Maculosus Angelfish will readily accept a varied diet of high-quality marine flake food, pellet food, frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and marine algae. Providing a diverse diet is crucial for their health and vibrant coloration. They typically reach a maximum size of around 5 inches in captivity. Like other angelfish, they are prone to nipping at corals and sessile invertebrates, so they are best suited for a fish-only or FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) aquarium.

The Goldflake Angelfish, *Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus*, is a stunning and highly desirable angelfish species known for its vibrant yellow spots that adorn its dark body. These “gold flakes” create a captivating and unique pattern, making each individual a beautiful addition to a marine aquarium.

A minimum tank size of 180 gallons is recommended for the Goldflake Angelfish to provide ample swimming space and stable water parameters. They are considered an intermediate-level fish, requiring good water quality and a varied diet. While generally peaceful, they can be territorial with other angelfish or similar-shaped fish, so careful consideration should be given to tank mates.

In the aquarium, the Goldflake Angelfish will thrive on a varied diet consisting of high-quality marine angelfish preparations, spirulina, mysis shrimp, and other meaty foods. Offering a diverse diet will help maintain their vibrant coloration and overall health. They are native to the Indo-Pacific region and typically reach a maximum size of around 10 inches in captivity.