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Arabian AngelfishAsfur Angelfish, Crescent Angelfish, Half Moon AngelfishFamily: Pomacanthidae Pomacanthus asfurPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Greg RothschildLatest Reader Comment - See More This is an awesome angelfish. Notice how big it gets! He makes for a fabulous display in a very large aquarium. David Brough The Arabian Angelfish has the brains, color, and personality that we all look for in a pet fish!Arabian Angelfish Contents The Arabian Angelfish Pomacanthus asfur , also known as the Asfur Angelfish, Crescent Angelfish, or Half Moon Angelfish, has bold colors but without the bold personalities. Asfur Angelfish are unusually beautiful both as a juvenile and as an adult. The juvenile is an attractive blue with light-blue and white stripes. The adult has a royal blue body with an intense yellow tail and a large, wide, yellow "V" shaped stripe. During both stages this angel is truly an eye catcher. These angelfish are some of the shyest of the Pomacanthus , but with a friendly disposition. Reaching around 16 inches (41 cm), the Asfur Angelfish or Arabian Angelfish will need a very large tank to reach its full grown size and bright coloration. These angelfish are more prone to stress than other fish of the same size when not provided with a large amount of swimming room. Some say 150 gallons, but an Arabian Angelfish really needs at least 250 - 300 gallons (950 - 1135 l) for comfort and to achieve its bright adult colors. Too small of a swimming area for these large angels results in a lack of full adult coloration, stress, and shorter life span. As long as correct tank parameters are met, Arabian Angels can acclimate and are moderately hardy as adults. Also, their shallower water preferences in the wild permit a higher temperature tank than what is needed for deep dwelling fish. In most cases, there is no need for a chiller with these fish. In general Arabian Angelfish are not considered reef safe. However you may be able to keep them with small polyp stony corals (SPS) and very noxious soft corals. Of course, those 2 corals are not kept together typically, but a tank full of one or the other would be quite spectacular. Keeping your angelfish well fed will also contribute to your corals not looking like an appetizer. Though the Arabian Angelfish or Asfur Angelfish is more shy than other angelfish, they still don't get along with other angelfish, as with most saltwater fish and their conspecifics. They may annoy any new tank mates and some passive fish, but as long as the pestered fish is not cowering and will still eat, they both should adapt. Their more shy nature means they do need to have several hiding areas to feel secure. The more secure this fish feels, the more they come out into the open. Aggressive tank mates will not only prevent this angel from coming out, but will stress the angel resulting in disease and a shorter life. For more Information on keeping saltwater fish see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
Described by Forsskal in 1755, the Arabian Angelfish or Asfur Angelfish Pomacanthus asfur is found in the Western Indian Ocean, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, then south to Zanzibar which is about 3/4 of the way down the African east coast.
This fish is from the Pomacanthidae family of angelfishes. The habitat these angels are found in are on semi-protected inshore reefs at depths of 10 to 50 feet (3 to 15 m). They enjoy the protection of the areas near caves where there are soft and stony corals. There they feed on benthic algae, weeds, sponges and tunicates. These fish can life up to 20 years.
- Scientific Name: Pomacanthus asfur
- IUCN Red List: LC - Least Concern - The Pomacanthus asfur is on the IUCN Red List as Least Concern (LC), with a stable population.
The Arabian Angelfish or Asfur Angelfish has dorsal and anal fin streamers, which contribute to the beauty of this fish. The face is a steel blue to gray color in front of the gill area, then brightens up to a bright royal blue under the chin area and the area behind the eye. There is a intense yellow band in the middle of the body, which is widest at the top of the dorsal fin. As it extends downward it becomes narrowest at the belly, terminating just before the bottom or anal area of the fish.
Depending on the age and origin of the fish, the area after the yellow bar can be an all dark bluish black or there may be a small area between the yellow bar and yellow fin that is the same bright royal blue as the front of the fish. It is similar in patterning to the Red Sea Angelfish or Yellowbar Angelfish, Pomacanthus maculosus . Unlike P. maculosus , the yellow band on the Asfur Angelfish is much wider and more pronounced and the Asfur has a yellow tail, whereas the P. maculosus does not.The juvenile is an attractive blue with bright royal blue edging and black, blue and light blue vertical stripes. Among these stripes are 3 white stripes. The first is right behind the eye. The second is 1/2 way down the body with a slight curve as if it is outlining where the future yellow stripe will be. The 3rd stripe is located about 3/4s of the way down the fish, between the mid-point of the fish and the tail fin.
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Arabian Angelfish (juvenile) Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Hiroyuki Tanaka
This juvenile looks similar to the Koran Angelfish Pomacanthus semicirculatus juvenile, except on the Asfur Angelfish these 3 bars are predominantly more white. Older juveniles will have yellow markings on the dorsal and a yellow caudal fin that make them distinguishable from the Koran angelfish.
- Maximum Size: 16.0 inches (40.64 cm) - This is a large Pomacanthus that can grow up to 16" (41 cm) in the wild and when kept in a large enough tank. Individuals kept in captivity usually attain a length of 10" (25 cm).
The Arabian Angelfish or Asfur Angelfish are moderately difficult to keep as juveniles and moderately easy as adults if kept in a 250 gallon (950 l) or larger tank. They are considered to be for moderate or advanced aquarists only because of the large size of the tank needed to properly them. If a tank of 250 gallons or more can be provided, then they would be considered moderately hardy as adults for moderate aquarists. This is due to lower stress levels that result from adequate swimming room. If a large tank is out of the question, it would be wise to choose a much smaller angelfish. An adults that is successfully acclimated will become a very hardy fish, and will even venture to the surface and take foods from its keepers.
- Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Difficult - Moderately Difficult as juveniles and Moderately Easy as adults in large 250 gallon (950 l) or larger tank.
- Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate - Intermediate to Expert
Arabian Angelfish or Asfur Angelfish are omnivores, in the wild they eat a wide variety of sponges with small amounts of algae, tunicates, hydroids, and bryozoans. Feed vegetable based foods as well as meaty foods like chopped squid, scallop, and shrimp. Prepared foods with marine sponge is essential. Many foods offer color enhancing qualities, which are helpful. Feed 3 or more times a day. Frequent smaller feedings will help them to be more friendly and in better health.
- Diet Type: Omnivore
- Flake Food: No
- Tablet Pellet: Yes - Yes with marine sponge material
- Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day - Minimum 3 times a day
Keeping water quality on the higher side is important with angelfish. Water changes of 30% a month, or 15% every 2 weeks is optimal in keeping nitrates lower. If there are corals in the tank, then 20% every month, 10% every 2 weeks or 5% a week works great. A larger tank is important for this large fish. Because it needs a lot of food, there is a large bio-load on the aquarium. A smaller tank will foul quickly.
The aquarium should be well decorated with rocks/corals arranged with plenty of hiding places, especially for juveniles. They also need a very large tank to obtain proper color and size.
- Minimum Tank Size: 250 gal (946 L) - A minimum size of at least 250 - 300 gallons (950 to 1135 liters) is needed for an adult, 150 gallons (568 liters) is adequate for a juvenile.
- Lighting Needs: Any - It is best kept under normal lighting, but can also be kept in sunlit conditions as well as a dimly lit tank.
- Temperature: 72.0 - 86.0° F (22.2 - 30.0° C)
- Specific gravity: 1.023-1.025 SG
- Range ph: 8.1-8.4
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Any - No special requirements, the Asfur can tolerate a rather stronger flow but slow-moving water is preferable.
- Water Region: All
The Arabian Angelfish is found singly or in pairs in the wild. In captivity Asfur Angels do well with similar tempered tank mates, but may annoy very passive fish and newly introduced fish. They will not tolerate other angelfish and will become aggressive in the presence of another angelfish. Aggressive tank mates will cause distress, disease and eventual death of the angelfish. Smaller than stated tank size will also result in more aggressive behavior. All of these several stress factors will result in a slow downward spiral.
In a reef environment they will not bother Small Polyp Stony Corals (SPS) or noxious soft corals, but will nip at Large Polyp Stony Corals (LPS), Xenia, and Tridacnid clams. They may be a threat to small decorative shrimp.
- Venomous: No
- Temperament: Peaceful - Peaceful if given a proper tank size and tank mates.
- Compatible with:
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: May be aggressive
No sexual differences are known.
There has been some success in tank breeding and with tank raised Pomacanthus asfur . As with most saltwater fish, they start feeling frisky around dusk. The male Asfur Angelfish will swim around the female quickly, in a circular pattern, then will suddenly swim above her to see if she is ready. Eventually she will feel compelled to swim toward him. He then nuzzles her belly with his nose to trigger her to lay her eggs. At the time she releases the eggs, he will release his sperm. These newly fertilized eggs will float in a planktonic stage for a few weeks. Eventually they will settle at the bottom as fry and start their colorful life apart from their parents.
See Breeding Marine Fish for a description of how they reproduce in the wild.
- Ease of Propagation: Difficult
Asfur Angelfish, like other saltwater angelfish, are prone to any disease that captive saltwater environments have to offer. They are most likely to be affected if they are stressed from inappropriate housing or tank mates, and they may suffer from Saltwater Ich or White Spot Disease (Crypt) and other infectious diseases.
Marine Ich or White Spot Disease (Crypt) is the most common disease. Symptoms of Marine Ick are constant scratching, culminating with lots of white dots. These dots disappear for a few days, only to return with double the number. This results in the fish suffocating from these parasites blocking the gills from providing oxygen. Several preparations are available for this parasite. Also, putting your tank just above 82°F (28°C) will help prevent the parasite from completing its life cycle which includes the attachment to fish.
Seachem has awesome products for treating Marine Ick, Focus and Metronidazole. The Focus (bonding agent) is mixed 5 to 1 with their Metronidazole (one part Metro to 5 parts Focus). This combo is mixed with 1 Tablespoon of food and can be fed to the fish 3 times a day until symptoms are gone. This can be used in a reef aquarium since the medication is bound to the food. In combination, the higher temperature along with the food/medication combo, will provide timely relief.
Diseases that saltwater angelfish are susceptible to:
- Marine Ich (white spot disease)
- Marine Velvet
- Lymphocystis (a viral infection)
The Arabian Angelfish or Asfur Angelfish is moderately easy to find online and in stores. Most stores will order these fish for you if you are willing to wait.
- Animal-World References: Marine and Reef
- Helmut Debelius and Rudie H. Kuiter, World Atlas of Marine Fishes, (in German) Hollywood Import & Export, Inc., 2006
- Scott W. Michael, Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes: Reef Fishes Series , Microcosm Ltd, 2004
- Scott W. Michael, Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species, T.F.H Publications inc., 1999
- Mark Allen, Roger Steene and Gerald R. Allen, A Guide to Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes , Odyssey Publishing, 1998
- Dr. Gerald R. Allen, Butterfly and Angelfishes of the World Volume 2, Aquarium Systems; 3rd edition,1985
- Jim McDavid, Large Angels in the Home Aquariums, Part 1, Advanced Aquarist, Copyright 2003
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