Angelfish (Large)
These big beauties are considered to be quite hardy, but because of their size may present a significant challenge to the potential keeper. They need huge aquariums, up to 180 gallons to house one for its entire lifespan. Two angels might be kept in the same aquarium provided it is a large aquarium, they are properly acclimated as juveniles, and they have very different colouring and body shape. However, because all Angelfish have essentially the same diet, mixing them is a feat that should be left to only advanced keepers. None are reef safe, and a potential owner should be aware that they need to have plenty of vegetable matter in their diet. They undergo major changes in colouration while maturing, and unless specified given descriptions are for adult specimens.
| Common name | Image | Taxonomy | Reef safe | Care Level | Description | Max size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue ring angelfish, annularis angelfish | Pomacanthus annularis | No | Moderate | 700130000000000000030 cm (11.8 in) | ||
| Arabian angelfish, Asfur angelfish | Pomacanthus asfur | No | Easy | 700140000000000000040 cm (15.7 in) | ||
| Bellus angelfish | Genicanthus bellus | Yes | Moderate | Light blue all over. Exhibits strong sexual dimorphism: females have wide black bands, males' bands are orange. | 700118000000000000018 cm (7.1 in) | |
| Blue angelfish | Holacanthus bermudensis | No | Moderate | Blue Angelfish has an overall aqua hue with a yellow shimmer and yellow edges on the fins and scales. The Blue Angelfish does not have the striking blue crown or other blue highlights of the Queen Angelfish. This species has been known to reproduce with the Queen Angelfish, making a half breed that looks like a mixture between the two species. | 700145000000000000045 cm (17.7 in) | |
| Bluespotted angelfish | Chaetodontoplus caeruleopunctatus | No | Difficult | 700121000000000000021 cm (8.3 in) | ||
| Blueface angelfish | Euxiphipops xanthometopon | No | Moderate | 700140000000000000040 cm (15.7 in) | ||
| Cortez angelfish | Pomacanthus zonipectus | No | Moderate | Darkly hued with yellow stripes. | 700146000000000000046 cm (18.1 in) | |
| Emperor angelfish | Pomacanthus imperator | No | Moderate | Juveniles are black with blue-white spiraling; adults are blue with yellow stripes, accented with white and black and a blue mask. Will easily be the dominate angelfish if housed with other angels. | 700140000000000000040 cm (15.7 in) | |
| French angelfish | Pomacanthus paru | No | Difficult | Juveniles are black with 3 yellow vertically running stripes, may also display blue on pelvic fins. Adults lard black with white vertical stripes. | 700141000000000000041 cm (16.1 in) | |
| Gray angelfish | Pomacanthus arcuatus | No | Easy to Moderate | Light grey with dark spots and bluish/grey mask over face. Closely related to French Angelfish. | 700160000000000000060 cm (23.6 in) | |
| Griffis angelfish | Apolemichthys griffisi | No | Moderate | 700125000000000000025 cm (9.8 in) | ||
| Half-moon angelfish | Pomacanthus maculosus | No | Easy | Blue with yellow splotch-like marking on side. | 700150000000000000050 cm (19.7 in) | |
| Koran angelfish | Pomacanthus semicirculatus | No | Moderate | Grey towards the face, becoming a navy blue towards the caudal fin with striking iridescent blue accents throughout. | 700140000000000000040 cm (15.7 in) | |
| Majestic angelfish or blue girdled angelfish | Pomacanthus navarchus | No | Moderate | Yellow dorsal and caudal fins connecting to "saddal" with dark blue dots. Dark blue underside and anal fin. Electric blue separating yellow and dark blue. | 700130000000000000030 cm (11.8 in) | |
| Passer angelfish or King angelfish | Holacanthus passer | No | Moderate | Very dark blue with yellow caudal fin and distinctive white stripe. | 700136000000000000036 cm (14.2 in) | |
| Personifer angelfish | Chaetodontoplus meridithii | No | Moderate | 700137000000000000037 cm (14.6 in) | ||
| Queen angelfish | Holacanthus ciliaris | No | Moderate | Tan coloured with yellow caudal fin and neon blue outlined fins. This species has been known to reproduce with the Blue Angelfish, making a half breed that looks like a mixture between the two species. | 700145000000000000045 cm (17.7 in) | |
| Royal angelfish | Pygoplites diacanthus | No | Expert | Orange and blue striped with dark blue dorsal fin and lemon yellow caudal fin. | 700125000000000000025 cm (9.8 in) | |
| Scribbled angelfish | Chaetodontoplus duboulayi | No | Moderate | 700125000000000000025 cm (9.8 in) | ||
| Japanese swallow angelfish | Genicanthus semifasciatus | Yes | Moderate | Black and tan striped back with yellow blaze beginning at the mouth and tapering off towards the centre of the side, with light blueish grey underside. Has distinctively shaped tail resembling that of a swallow. | 700121000000000000021 cm (8.3 in) | |
| Yellowtail angelfish | Apolemichthys xanthurus | No | Easy | 700115000000000000015 cm (5.9 in) |
Read more about this topic: List Of Marine Aquarium Fish Species