The Saltwater Angels:
A Brief Review of the Genera

By Jim Greenwald

There are over 50 species of saltwater angelfish. They are considered by many to be some of the most striking saltwater fish available. They vary in form, but they can all be identified by a small spine coming off their operculum (the plate covering the gills). All saltwater angels require a well established aquarium with lots of algae upon which to graze. When combining two or more angels invoke the "genus rule". The more closely two angels are related the more likely they are to fight. If the animals are close to the same size, and are in the same genus, the chances are even greater that they will fight. They are very territorial. Once established in the aquaria, all angels thrive on a varied diet rich in vegetable matter, with an occasional feeding of food soaked in vitamins.

There are eight genera of saltwater angels in the world. Let's review them.

The Apolemichthys genus contains only 6 species with the Black Banded (Apolemichthys arcuatus) and the Goldflake (Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus) angels being the most well known examples. They are prone to picking at their food, so it would be best to take a piece of coral and imbed frozen well balanced foods into the coral. Frequent small feedings will greatly improve their chances of a happy aquarium life.

There are over 30 described species of Centropyge, the dwarf angels, with new species being discovered all the time. Familiar dwarf examples include; the Flame, the Potters, the Coral Beauty, the Lemon Peel and the Resplendent. Dwarf angels need lots of algae to graze upon, and are very popular introductions into reef aquariums. In the wild they are often found in small shoals of females with a single dominant male. If the male is lost, the dominant female simply turns into a male!

Chaetodontoplus: They are the expensive but hardy Personifier and Scribbled angels. They like to pick at their food, and may be trained to eat lettuce from ones hand!

The Genicanthus angels are quite unique. The male and female usually have different color patterns and unlike other angels they will thrive on a high protein diet of Mysis shrimp and other plankton. Soak some of their food in vitamins to insure ample micro nutrients in their diet.

The eight Holocanthus include the Queen, Blue and Rock Beauties and are some of the most aggressive and larger of the angels reaching up to one foot in length. They need a very diverse diet, including lettuce, flakes, plankton and live rock to graze upon. If not taken care of properly they are prone to developing Lymphocystis. Lymphocystis is a very non-fatal, non communicable disease that resembles small whitish specks located on the margins of the body. It can't be cured but can be kept in check when provided with a good diet and water quality.

French, Gray and the Cortez angels highlight the Pomacanthus group. They are usually quite secretive at first, so make sure that they get some food. Lettuce, live rock and flakes are a good start. As juveniles they do not at all resemble the color patterns of the adults. In addition juveniles may clean other fish.

Pygoplites and Euxiphipops: The Regal and Navarchus (note some authorities put the Navarchus into the genus Pomacanthus) are perhaps the most challenging. They are passive feeders that do not do well in a tank with lots of commotion from other fish. Feeding them frequently and insuring that they get plenty of different foods will help towards your success. Small specimens would do best if placed in a reef aquarium.

Finally some fish are just not cut out to be an aquarium fish. I would like to suggest that one should not purchase Regal Angels, the butterfly Chaetodon ortnatissimus, Orange Spot Filefish or Moorish Idols, as their dietary needs are very difficult to provide, and the purchase of them only encourages the collection of more specimens.)