Porcupine Pufferfish

Porcupine pufferfish by Sam

The long-spine porcupinefish is also known as the spiny balloonfish.

The Long-spine porcupinefish is circumtropical in distribution, being found in the tropical zones of major seas and oceans:

• In the Atlantic it is found from Florida and the Bahamas to Brazil and in the Eastern Atlantic from 30°N to 23°S, as well as around South Africa.
• In the western Indian Ocean from the southern Red Sea to Madagascar, Réunion and Mauritius.
• In the Pacific Ocean from southern Japan to Lord Howe Island, and east to the Hawaiian and Easter islands. Also from southern California to Colombia and the Galapagos Islands.

Pale in colour with large black blotches and smaller black spots, these spots becoming fewer in number with age. Has many long, two-rooted depressible spines. Adults may reach 50cm in length.

Dogface Pufferfish

Dogface Pufferfish by haakoni

The blackspotted puffer or dog-faced puffer, Arothron nigropunctatus, is a pufferfish of the family Tetraodontidae, and can be found in reefs throughout the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. It reaches a maximum length of 33 cm.

It has a round shape with a head and snout which at times looks like a seal or a dog. It can come in a variety of colors, although most commonly blue. The distinctive identifying item are the black spots. It feeds on algae, corals, sponges, sea squirts, crustaceans and molluscs.

Like most puffers, blackspotted puffers are highly poisonous, making them dangerous or even deadly to eat.

Ranchu

Ranchu by sim_ly2002

The ranchu is a hooded variety of fancy goldfish developed in Japan. It is referred to as the "king of goldfish" by the Japanese.

The modern-day ranchu is a Japanese development of the lionhead. They are the direct outcome of crossbreeding experiments of different Chinese lionhead specimens.

The ranchu is a highly regarded fancy goldfish in Japan. Compared to lionheads, ranchus have a more downturned tail and tail fin. Although similar to lionheads, ranchus have more-arched backs and have much shorter tails that are tucked-in at a sharp angle.

Black Ranchu by Goldfish Queen

Top-view ranchu (TVR)

The Japanese are firm believers that the best view of the ranchu is from the top. The ideal ranchu is described (when seen from above, not from the side) as similar to the koban, an elongated and oval-shaped (almost rectangular but with rounded corners) old Japanese coi

Side-view ranchu (SVR)

A ranchu's back (seen from the side) is compared to a traditional Japanese comb, which comes in two shapes. The first comb-shape (the nagate or long style) is long with rounded corners and is similar to the koban coin. While the second comb-shape (the marute or the round style) is shorter, round and is similar to a round coin viewed from the side, but still not as round as any modern-day circular coins such as the penny or dime of the United States. Both comb shapes are acceptable in ranchu exhibitions and competitions.

Selection and judging

Most goldfish shows and competitions judge ranchus in an aquarium setting, and judges view the fish from the side and the top, taking note of the fish's comportment and conformation to physical standards, motion and movements. The attachment of the tail to the caudal peduncle are also meticulously evaluated.

Pearlscale Goldfish

Pearlscale Goldfish by silveroses69's

The pearlscale or chinshurin in Japanese, is a spherical-bodied fancy goldfish with finnage similar to the fantail.

Crown Pearlscale by Goldfish Queen

The characteristic feature of the pearlscale is its thick, domed scales with pearl-like appearance. Its body is round and similar to a golf ball. The finnage may be long or short. Pearlscales can reach up to 8 inches long and grow up as large as oranges. However, pearlscale fancy goldfish are prone to swimbladder disorders which affect the ability to maintain normal position in the water.

This is attributed to the selective breeding process of fancy goldfish to achieve particular body forms, such as that of the pearlscale's. Selective breeding gradually resulted to the alteration of the appearance of the swimbladder.

The pearlscale standard is as follows:

• Depth of body to be greater than 2/3rds of body length
• Scales to be domed
• Dorsal fin to be single, all other fins to be paired.
• Caudal fin to be divided and forked and held above the horizontal.
• Extremities of fins to have a slightly rounded appearance.
• Minimum length of body to be 5.5 cm (2¼ inches).

The fish should be bright and alert and displaying well developed domed scales all over the body area. The body should be short and rounded (not elongated). The caudal fin should be held high without signs of drooping and well divided. Quality fish will have high colour intensity extending into the fins.

Variants

Pearlscales are found without headgrowth, with Oranda-like headgrowth or with two large bubble domes. The bubble-domed Pearlscales are known as high-head pearlscale, crown pearlscale or Hama nishiki.

Oranda Goldfish

Oranda Goldfish by kyhLiang

An oranda is a fancy goldfish characterized by a prominent raspberry-like hood encasing its head. The hood or headgrowth (also known as wen) encases the whole head except for the eyes and mouth.

Due to the fleshy outgrowth on the upper half of its head and sides of its face, the oranda has become one of the most popular goldfish.It is described as wen by the aquarists. The oranda is a metallic or matte scaled goldfish that is similar in appearance to the veiltail. It has a large, long and deep body accompanied by a long quadruple tail. This four-lobed and contracted tail normally spreads out broadly when the oranda stops swimming. The back does not rise up to form a ryukin-like hump.

Orandas are available in a variety of colors, most often orange, red, red-and-white, red-and-black, black, blue, chocolate, bronze, white or silver, black-and-white (panda-colored), red-black-and-white (tricolor), and calico colors.

The headgrowth of young fry may take one to two years to develop.The oranda can reach 8 to 12 inches (20 to 31 centimeters) in length.A specimen from China, named "Bruce" (after late actor and martial artist Bruce Lee), has attained 15 inches in length. Sometimes the wen grows enormously covering its eye,due to this the eye sight is limited or no vision.

These fishes should not be destroyed because they can still manage to survive. Special care should be given to the wen because it is prone to bacterial infections.Oranda can tolerate temperatures from 65-78 °F.More recently blue scale oranda have been developed but these fishes are very rare. Oranda goldfish are especially sensitive to cold temperatures, more so than other goldfish.

Variants

• The azuma nishiki is an attractive nacreous-colored form of the oranda.
• The red-cap oranda has a silver body with a prominent red headgrowth on the forehead.
• Chinese breeders have developed telescope eyed orandas, a cross-breeding of the telescope eye and oranda goldfishes.
• The hana fusa or white pompom oranda is an elegant pompom with a dorsal fin.
• The nagate oranda is a long body oranda developed in Shikoku, south west area of Japan.

Lionhead Goldfish

Lionhead by Doublechin

The lionhead is a hooded variety of fancy goldfish. This fish is the precursor to the ranchu.

Lionhead by mr.moh

The tremendous hood or headgrowth and fat cheeks of lionheads give them a facial appearance similar to canine puppies. The "wen" (Chinese term for headgrowth) fully covers the head, cheeks and gill plates of the fish. Furthermore, lionheads have short but deep bodies, and relatively straight or evenly arched backs without dorsal fins. The finnage, in general, is short.

Breeding standards require that the lionhead’s anal fins are paired, the double tail fin should not droop, and its upper edges should be held away from the body.[4] The tail of a traditional lionhead can be fully separated, partially separated, or webbed. The tail should also meet the caudal peduncle (the area where the body joins the tail) in a fashion that is almost perpendicular to the body.

The caudal peduncle is ideally broad, allowing the tail to open when the fish swims. The back of the proper lionhead is quite broad to support the placement of the raspberry-like hood. Hood development may vary but is more pronounced in males. The hood normally takes a year to develop in young fry. Mature male lionheads periodically shed patches of their headgrowths.

Lionheads can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) in length (including finnage) and may have metallic, nacreous or matte scales. They come in a variety of coloration.

Lionhead by Doublechin

Lionheads were bred in China to depict the image of the mythical Chinese lion-dog (the shishi, in Japanese legend). They were introduced to Japan from China during the 17th and 18th centuries. The Japanese produced lionheads with more rounded back profiles, modified tails and diminished size of the headgrowth.

Lionchu Goldfish

Lionchu Goldfish by wikipedia

The Lionchu or lionhead-ranchu is a fancy goldfish that has resulted from crossbreeding lionheads and ranchus.

The Western criteria for lionchus combine the traditional characteristic side-view profiles of the ranchu and the lionhead. The ranchu's deep body, broad and curved back, and tail placement has been merged with the large headgrowth of the lionhead. Lionchus do not have dorsal fins.

Although at first, the lionchus were considered merely as mongrels, being hybrids of the lionheads and ranchus, the lionhead actually have an ancestor from Japan in the 1800s; it is then known as the shishigashira ranchu or lion-headed ranchu. The shishigashira ranchu is a ranchu-like goldfish with small amounts of headgrowth and some having small knobs and bumps on the back (a suggestion that the absence of the dorsal fin had not yet been stabilized at the time).

But the modern-day lionchu is considered to have originated from Thailand, and was popularized by a group of goldfish hobbyists in Singapore through RafflesGold.com, an internet-based goldfish forum site. The lionchu was officially recognized as a unique class of fancy goldfish during the "My Fancy Goldfish Competition 2006", which was held in Singapore from May 26-28, 2006.

Fantail Goldfish

Fantail Goldfish by M.H.ick9s

The Fantail goldfish is the western form of the Ryukin that possesses an egg-shaped body, a high dorsal fin, a long quadruple caudal fin, and no shoulder hump.

The Fantail goldfish may have either metallic or nacreous scales and normal or telescope eyes. Its finnage are less well developed than the Ryukin. It supports double anal and tail Fins. The anal and caudal fins are well divided into two matching halves. Although generally considered a hardy goldfish, Fantails can be sensitive to prolonged exposure to low water temperatures. Keeping Fantails in an aquarium requires an ideal temperature ranging between 55 to 70°F (13 to 21°C).

Fantails with red, bronze (more commonly known as chocolate), and calico colors are common. Other less common varieties exist, such as blue and white.

Calico Goldfish

Calico Goldfish by M.H.ick9s

Calico or nacreous goldfish are goldfish of any breed that sport a mixture of metallic and transparent scales that produces a pearly appearance. The name "calico goldfish" is often associated, and sometimes confused, with the shubunkin goldfish.

Calico goldfish have patches of red, yellow, grey and black along with dark speckles on a blue background. This nacreous coloration of usually extends over the fins.

Although calico coloration occasionally occurs in other fancy goldfish varieties such as telescope eyes, fantails, ryukins, orandas, and ranchus, this nacreous characteristic is usually exclusive to the shubunkins which are single-tailed fish that are similar to the common goldfish and could grow up to 12 inches in length.

Bubble Eye Goldfish

Bubble Eye Goldfish by Chi Liu

The Bubble Eye is a small variety of fancy goldfish with upward pointing eyes that are accompanied by two large fluid-filled sacs. It is a dorsal-less fish, and good specimens will have a clean back and eye bubbles well matched for colour and size.

The bubbles are fragile and the fish should be kept separately from boisterous types and away from sharp tank decor, although the bubbles will regrow if punctured. Given proper accommodation, the bubbles do not disadvantage the fish and they become very tame. It is known as suihogan in Japan.

Bubble Eye Goldfish by Chi Liu

The Bubble Eye normally has an evenly curved back that lacks a fin. The pair of large pouches of skin attached under its eyes jiggle as it swims. Bubble Eyes have metallic scales and they are similar to the celestial eye goldfish.

The eyes of the Bubble Eye goldfish are normal in the young fry, but will start to develop eye bladders three months after hatching. Like ranchu, the bubble eye goldfish lacks in dorsal fin and has a double tail. They normally grow up to 6 to 8 inches in length.

Panda Moor Goldfish

Panda Moor Goldfish by shuddernerd

The panda moor is a fancy goldfish with a characteristic black-and-white color pattern and protruding eyes.

Panda Moor Goldfish by shorty76

Panda moors have delicate projecting eyes, deep bodies, and long flowing fins. Like any other moor goldfish, pandas can grow very fat. They are metallic-scaled. Young moors resemble bronze fantails and their protruding eyes gradually develop with age. They sport a velvety appearance in maturity. However, they may lose this velvet-like appearance with increasing age. They are strictly a cool water fish like all other goldfish.

Black Moor Goldfish

Black Moor Goldfish by This Year's Love

The black moor is a telescope-eyed variety of fancy goldfish that has a characteristic pair of protruding eyes. It is also referred to as popeye, telescope, kuro demekin in Japan and dragon-eye in China.

Black Moors (Carassius auratus) have deep bodies and long, flowing finnage, along with characteristic protruding eyes. They are veiltailed and possess metallic scales with a velvet-like appearance.

Young Moors resemble bronze fantails. Their black coloration and eye protrusion develop with age. They can grow up to a length of 10 inches, but may not lose their velvet-like appearance with increasing age. Black demekins may also revert to metallic orange when exposed to warm water temperature. The fish can range in coloring anywhere from a lighter grey to a dark black, but most Black Moor goldfish don't stay pure black forever and many Of them change colors from a rust color underbelly to orange splotches.

Black moor goldfish are popular because they are hardy fish, and because their black color sets them apart from the more common gold color. Goldfish are typically easy to care for, surprisingly, black moors in particular are able to withstand a wide variety of temperatures but cannot withstand extreme temperatures.

Black Moor Goldfish by bfraz

Related fish include the entire "telescope" family, and can appear in red, red-and-white, calico, black-and-white, chocolate, brown, blue, bronze, lavender and chocolate-and-blue, tricolored, and black coloration. Black moors with a deep solid black color are difficult to find but are more stable in moors than any other goldfish variety. Black-and-white moors are known as panda moors.

It was once theorised that blackness in goldfish are only exhibited by the telescope-eyed goldfish and that the black colour is only a permanent fixture with telescope eye goldfish. However, with the recent entry of black lionheads (ranchus), black orandas, black pearlscales and black hibunas, this view is no longer true.

In fact, black moors do sometimes throw normal-eye offsprings, and they are black also. However, they are rejected as they do not conformed to the telescope eye feature for the Moor variety.

Raccoon Butterflyfish

Raccoon Butterflyfish by brian.gratwicke

The raccoon butterflyfish, Chaetodon lunula, also known as the crescent-masked butterflyfish or lunule butterflyfish, is a species of butterflyfish (family Chaetodontidae). It is found in the Indo-Pacific region and in the southeast Atlantic. Its length is up to 20 cm (nearly 8 in).

It belongs to the large subgenus Rabdophorus which might warrant recognition as a distinct genus. In this group, its closest relative is probably the very similar Red Sea raccoon butterflyfish or diagonal butterflyfish, C. lunula. Other close relatives appear to be the black butterflyfish, C. flavirostris), Philippine butterflyfish, C. adiergastos, and perhaps also the unusual red-tailed butterflyfish, C. collare.

Although the coloration of this group varies greatly, they are all largish butterflyfishes with an oval outline, and most have a pattern of ascending oblique stripes on the flanks. Except in the red-tailed butterflyfish, there is at least a vestigial form of the "raccoon" mask, with a white space between the dark crown and eye areas.

In the aquarium

The raccoon butterflyfish is generally not aggressive towards other fish, with the exception of lionfish and triggerfish. In captivity, the typical lifespan of a raccoon butterflyfish is five to seven years. It has been observed as a beneficial predator of Aiptasia and Majano sea anemones.

They will eliminate this nuisance pest within a two- to six-week period depending on the anemone population and size of the tank; however, they will eagerly feed on any soft corals and may cause more harm than good to the decoration. In a confined environment, this species is prone to succumbing to "marine ich", infection by the ciliate Cryptocaryon irritans.

Longnose Butterflyfish

Longnose Butterflyfish by brian.gratwicke

Forcipiger flavissimus (Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish or Forcepsfish) is a species of butterflyfish in the genus Forcipiger.　It is similar in appearance to and found in the same range as the less common Forcipiger longirostris. Together, the two species are collectively known in the Hawaiian language as lauwiliwilinukunukuʻoiʻoi, or "long-snouted (sharp-beaked) fish shaped like a wiliwili leaf".

Bannerfish

Bannerfish by cliff1066

White with 2 broad diagonal black bands, up to 18cm in length. Similar in appearance to Heniochus acuminatus but has larger eye and smaller snout.

Thrives best in moderate reef tanks of 25-26 degrees celsius. They will usually feed on plankton and brine shrimp, although if underfed they might nip at invertebrates.

Copperbanded Butterflyfish

Copperbanded Butterflyfish by OCVA

The Copperband Butterflyfish, Chelmon rostratus, also commonly called the Beak Coralfish, is found in reefs in both the Pacific and Indian Oceans. This butterflyfish is one of the three species in the genus Chelmon, all being known for having longer beaks.

Copperband butterflyfish can grow to 8 inches (20 cm) but in a home aquarium are usually found at half that size.[citation needed] They do well at a normal reef temperature range of 75 to 84 °F (24 to 29 °C), with a tank size of at least 75 gallons[vague] with lots of live rock to graze on. This species is not reef safe. It will eat many invertebrates, including parasitic forms such as Calliactis parasitica (Parasitic anemone).

Orange-fin Anemonefish

Orange-fin Anemonefish

The orange-fin anemonefish or orange-fin clownfish, Amphiprion chrysopterus, is a clownfish, found in the Western Pacific north of the Great Barrier Reef from the surface to 20 m. It can grow to 16 cm in length.

It feeds on mainly zooplankton and algae.

it changes colors.The tail fins can go from orange to yellow. The main belly can go from brown to black. The stripes can go from blue to white. And the tail fin is always white.

Red Sea Clownfish

Red Sea Clownfish by Larsz

The Red Sea (or two-banded) clownfish (or anemonefish') (Amphiprion bicinctus, meaning "both sawlike with two stripes") is a clownfish of the family Pomacentridae.

Description

Length up to 14 cm, background colour yellow-orange with two black-edged white bands.

Skunk Clownfish

Skunk clownfish by Nick Hobgood

The skunk clownfish or nosestripe anemonefish, Amphiprion akallopisos, is an anemonefish (also called clownfish) that lives in association with sea anemones. A. akallopisos, like A. percula, is nearly always associated with Heteractis magnifica and Stichodactyla gigantea, and is found in the Indo-Pacific. It resides in shallow inshore reefs as deep as 15 m with a moderate to strong current. The skunk clownfish can also be kept in captivity by aquarists.

Description

The skunk clownfish is identified by a light orange color, with a single, narrow, white stripe running from the mouth to the caudal peduncle, and can grow as large as 11 cm in length.

Like other anemonefish, the skunk clownfish is a protandrous hemaphrodite, and maintains a hierarchy within the host anemone that consists of a mating pair, of which the female is the largest, and non-mating males which get progressively smaller in size.

Maroon Clownfish

Maroon Clownfish

The maroon clownfish, Premnas biaculeatus, is a species of clownfish that is found in the Indo-Pacific from western Indonesia to Taiwan and the Great Barrier Reef. They can grow up to be about 17 cm (6. 7 in), and as they grow, they become more aggressive towards other clownfish.

It is also known as the spine-cheeked clownfish, or the maroon anemonefish. It is the only member of the genus Premnas, although it has been suggested that the taxon epigrammata from Sumatra should be recognized as a distinct species, Premnas epigrammata (Fowler, 1904).[2]

The stripes across the body are normally white, but they are yellow in the taxon epigrammata. The female is usually larger than the male and dark red or maroon, and the male smaller and a bright red.

In the aquarium

A 30-gallon tank is suggested for one fish or 60 gallons for a pair. In the wild, it is strictly associated with the sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor, and preferably this should also be provided in the aquarium (but is not a requirement). The maroon clownfish likes frozen shrimp and herbivore preparations.

Because of its spines, this clownfish should not be caught using a net. The spines can get entangled in the net, which can injure the fish. Instead, catching with a cup is recommended. The maroon clownfish is one of the larger, more aggressive members of the clown family. It is best to house them singly, the only exception being a mated pair.

Do not mix maroon clownfish with any other type of clownfish or bullying will occur. A good way to curb their aggression is to rearrange the rock work periodically. Also if it is planned to keep one or a pair it is best to add them last. If the right parameters are met the maroon clown will be a hardy and amusing member of the aquarium community. They are human responsive to the point of trying to "intimidate" people with whom they are not familiar.

Ocellaris Clownfish

Ocellaris Clownfish by Silvain de Munck

The Ocellaris Clownfish, Clownfish or False Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is a popular aquarium fish. It is very closely related to A. percula, the Orange Clownfish or "True Percula Clownfish", and often lives in association with the sea anemone Heteractis magnifica, using them for shelter and protection. Generally, Ocellaris clownfish are hardier, and slightly less aggressive than its Percula counterpart. Both species are found in coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the Fiji and Tonga regions.

This clown anemonefish can be recognised by its orange colour with three white bars and black markings on the fins. It grows to about eight centimeters (three inches)in length. One can differentiate between Percula (true) and Ocellaris (false) by their respective colors and patterns. Ocellaris are usually less vibrantly colored, and have 11 dorsal fin-spines instead of 10, as on the Percula.

Ocellaris Clownfish by Silvain de Munck

Also the species have different eye arrangements, Percula have bright orange irises, making their eyes appear smaller whereas Ocellaris have grey/orange irises which make the species eyes appear bigger. There is a rare melanistic variety hailing from the reefs around Darwin, Australia, that is a dark black colour with the normal white stripes. Although not common in the wild, they are becoming more and more popular in the aquarium hobby.

Clark's Anemonefish

Clark's Anemonefish by vihelm

Clark's anemonefish or the Yellowtail clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii) is a widely distributed clownfish. It is found in tropical waters, in lagoons and on outer reef slopes, from the Persian Gulf to Western Australia and throughout the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean as far as Melanesia and Micronesia, and as far north as Taiwan, southern Japan and the Ryukyu Islands.

Clark's Anemonefish is a spectacularly colourful fish, with vivid black, white and yellow stripes, though the exact pattern shows considerable geographical variation. There are normally two white bands, one behind the eye and one above the anus. The tail fin may be white or yellow, but is always lighter than rest of the body.

Clarke's Anemonefish are a popular aquarium species. They are omnivorous, and in the aquarium will readily eat brine shrimp. They will regularly host in many sea anemones in the home aquarium.

Cinnamon Clownfish

Cinnamon Clownfish by EAM S

Cinnamon clownfish (Amphiprion melanopus) or fire clownfish is a widely distributed clownfish. It is found in Indonesia, Melanesia, Micronesia, southeastern Polynesia, and the Great Barrier Reef.

They are omnivorous, and will eat a variety of meat food items and algae.

Description

Cinnamon clownfish adults can grow to 12 cm (4.7 inches), and the female is usually bigger than the male.

The cinnamon clownfish is a dark red to orange with a mahogany "saddle" on its back. Juveniles and adults have a white head band, which turns a nice blue with age.

Royal Angelfish

Royal Angelfish by Colin's Camera

The royal angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus, is a species of marine angelfish of the family Pomacanthidae, the only member of the genus Pygoplites. It is found in tropical Indo-Pacific oceans. Its length is up to 25 cm.

In the aquarium

Although it is frequently exported through the aquarium trade it rarely survives in the aquarium.

Usually specimens abused during shipment, more likely caught by drugging, will refuse to eat anything, including live fare.

However, given the right environment, specifically with smaller and docile tankmates like gobies and dwarf angels, it will start feeding within days when fed brine shrimp, brine shrimp plus flakes, and further progressing to regular frozen foods and a certain brand of cichlid pellets which this species seem to crave.

With a hostile environment with fellow large angels, puffers, and triggers, and certain clowns, it will almost certainly fail to acclimate and slowly die of starvation due to its shyness to start feeding.

Survivability of feeding specimens seem to equal to the other Pomacanthids.

Fresh water dips may be required to rid newly arrived specimens of flukes and ick which this species is especially prone to.

The prior myth that only yellow-bellied variations from Sri Lanka and the Red Sea will survive points to the fact that species from the Philippines and Indonesia are often abused when collected.

More commonly known as the Regal Angelfish.

Queen Angelfish

Queen Angelfish by natureloving

The Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) is an angelfish commonly found near reefs in the warmer sections of the western Atlantic Ocean.

Description

The adult Queen angelfish overall body color can be described as blue to bluegreen with yellow rims on its scales. Their pectoral fins and ventral fins are also yellow but their lips and the edges of their dorsal fins and anal fins are dark blue.

Queen angelfish are also known to have blue markings around each gill cover. Juveniles have dark blue bodies with yellow lips, gills, and tail and vertical bars ranging in color from light blue to white. The Queen Angelfish may live up to 15 yrs in the wild and reach up to 45 centimetres in length. Queen angelfish are about 3 and a half pounds.

In the Aquarium

Although, the Queen Angelfish is considered to be moderate in difficulty to keep in captivity, it is ill-suited for the inexperienced aquarist. They are an aggressive species that require a large aquarium. Most aquarists recommend a minimum tank size anywhere from 150 on up to 180 gallons. The Queen Angelfish will harass other fish without discrimination, particularly new additions to the aquarium. It should be the last fish added to any system. It is not a reef safe fish, and larger specimens may nip at or consume corals, particularly stony or soft ones, and ornamental invertebrates.

Passer Angelfish

Passer Angelfish by laszlo-photo

The Passer Angelfish, Holacanthus passer, is a large marine angelfish of the family Pomacanthidae, sometimes referred to as the King Angelfish. Due to its large size and bright colors it is a popular aquarium fish, despite the fact that it can be difficult to keep.

In Aquarium

Passer Angelfish are somewhat popular as aquarium fish, however their large size, specialized diet, and prohibitive cost make them comparatively poor captive pets. They have not bred in captivity and hence can be very difficult to find in most hobby shops, although they are slightly more available through mail order companies, for a price.

Passer Angelfish also have a well-deserved reputation for being difficult to keep, largely because they require sponges and tunicates as a food source and will often not accept even prepared foods with such things as ingredients. Besides their diet, they are not particularly picky about salinity or pH, so long as they are kept stable and the water quality high.

Angelfish in general are not generally good community inhabitants, Passer Angels being no exception. If introduced when young, a lucky aquarist may be able to keep two angels in one appropriately size aquarium, but such experiences tend to be the exception, not the norm. Passer Angelfish are quite dominant and can be abusive to smaller or more docile tankmates, or Angelfish that are lower on the social hierarchy for whatever reason.