Angels, Large

Marine Angelfish are remarkable creatures and some of the most alluring of all fish. They have an elegant form, graceful movement, and often display beautiful vibrant colors. Their bodies are compressed laterally, a flat disc-like form that allows them to slip between rocky outcroppings and reef crevices. They come in all shapes and sizes, and although they can be very showy, their coloration actually helps them blend with the patterns and shadows of the reef.

Saltwater angelfish vary considerably in their care requirements, and with wild caught specimens, acclimating them to the aquarium can be a challenge. Yet once established they are relatively hardy, making these exquisite specimens highly desirable. Angelfish do tend to become very territorial as they mature, so it is generally recommended to keep only a single specimen

It is important that the tank environment is set up to their preferred specifications if you want your marine angelfish to thrive. To start, you must have the aquarium up and running for at least 3 months before you add your angelfish to ensure that the nitrogen cycle is fully established in the tank.

Aside from a fully cycled tank and high water quality, saltwater angelfish have a few other preferences you should know about. While these preferences may vary slightly from one species to another, most angelfish prefer reef tank environments and the size may depend on the species. Medium and large angelfish require 100 gallons of tank capacity or more. Providing your angelfish with a large tank will help to diminish aggressive tendencies and it will improve your chances of success in keeping angelfish. Before you purchase any angelfish, take the time to research the specific species you are thinking about getting so you can cater your tank conditions to the needs of that particular species. It is important that you strike the right balance in salinity, pH, temperature and other aspects of water chemistry in order for your angelfish to thrive.

Angelfish require a varied diet in order to thrive and, if they are not given the proper foods, they may slowly starve to death. Most angelfish will accept live foods like brine shrimp and they may also accept frozen foods such as krill, scallops and shredded shrimp. In some cases, you may be able to adapt your angelfish to accept commercial foods like flakes and pellets. In addition to these foods, you should also be sure to include fresh vegetable matter in the diet of your angelfish – foods like romaine lettuce should account for about one third of the weekly diet of your fish. To ensure that your angelfish thrive, feed no less than five different foods on a weekly basis.

Saltwater angelfish have been known to become very aggressive toward other angelfish in the tank so you need to choose your tank mates wisely. Few angelfish species are likely to tolerate the presence of other angelfish of the same species in the home tank environment – some may even be aggressive toward other angelfish species of similar appearance. If you do hope to keep more than one angelfish in your tank, do not add them all at the same time. Start off with one small angelfish and add the others slowly over time, giving each of them time to get used to the tank and to establish their own territory. Though angelfish are often aggressive toward others of their kind, they generally tolerate species from other families. Fish like wrasses and clownfish are generally compatible with a variety of angelfish species.