emperor11
Active Member
Hello all, since there hasn't been many "Informational" threads on here lately, I thought I'd pitch in and try to make one. Well, that's not entirely true, all of the threads on here are informational, but you all know what I mean. Today I'm going to focus on my favorite genus of all marine creatures...the Angelfish. More specifically, the Holacanthus Species. Most likely, I will make an Informational thread on the Pomacanthus, Centropyge (dwarf angels), Chaetodontoplus, Paracentropyge (dwarf angels), Pygoplites, Genicanthus, and Apolemichthys.
Holacanthus species are very popular with aquarists for one reason...they're absolutely gorgeous. However, what they don't know is the size that many of these angels can reach. The Rock Beauty can reach up to 24" in the wild. This is one extreme, the other extreme is with the Clarion which only reaches 7.8" in the wild. These species are not difficult to keep-if you know what you're doing. Rock Beauty Angels feed primarily on algae and the slime coats of other fishes as juveniles, but as they turn into adults, their intake of sponge becomes much larger, until it makes up 97% of their diet. Same is true with the Queen Angelfish.
Angels are also known for their "attitude." But IMO, this is what makes them so much fun. Many have absolutely wonderful personalities, and can become quite personable. Many feed on Benthic Invertebrates, Hydroids, Sponges, Tunicates, and Bryozoans as staple foods.
These species are quite abundant among volcanic rocks and coral islands. I personally, keep a Rock Beauty Angelfish.
Below are all the species in the Genus...
1. Guinean Angelfish (Holacanthus Africanus)
2. Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris)
3. Clarion Angelfish (Holacanthus Clarionensis)
4. Blue Angelfish (Holacanthus Bermudensis, formerly known as Holacanthus Isabelita)
5. Clipperton Angelfish (Holacanthus Limbaughi)
6. King Angelfish (Holacanthus Passer)
7. Rock Beauty Angelfish (Holacanthus Tricolor)
Holacanthus species are very popular with aquarists for one reason...they're absolutely gorgeous. However, what they don't know is the size that many of these angels can reach. The Rock Beauty can reach up to 24" in the wild. This is one extreme, the other extreme is with the Clarion which only reaches 7.8" in the wild. These species are not difficult to keep-if you know what you're doing. Rock Beauty Angels feed primarily on algae and the slime coats of other fishes as juveniles, but as they turn into adults, their intake of sponge becomes much larger, until it makes up 97% of their diet. Same is true with the Queen Angelfish.
Angels are also known for their "attitude." But IMO, this is what makes them so much fun. Many have absolutely wonderful personalities, and can become quite personable. Many feed on Benthic Invertebrates, Hydroids, Sponges, Tunicates, and Bryozoans as staple foods.
These species are quite abundant among volcanic rocks and coral islands. I personally, keep a Rock Beauty Angelfish.
Below are all the species in the Genus...
1. Guinean Angelfish (Holacanthus Africanus)
2. Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris)
3. Clarion Angelfish (Holacanthus Clarionensis)
4. Blue Angelfish (Holacanthus Bermudensis, formerly known as Holacanthus Isabelita)
5. Clipperton Angelfish (Holacanthus Limbaughi)
6. King Angelfish (Holacanthus Passer)
7. Rock Beauty Angelfish (Holacanthus Tricolor)
